For many decades, Amsterdam has been considered one of the top international destinations for cannabis consuming tourists. One could easily argue that Amsterdam was the first major cannabis tourism destination on the planet.

In recent years, as more jurisdictions around the globe have modernized their cannabis policies to permit various cannabis activities, Amsterdam has ceded some of its claim as the world’s top cannabis tourism spot. Still, it remains popular among tourists for its famed cannabis cafes. However, if a proposal being considered is adopted, the city’s cannabis cafes could become off-limits to tourists.

“A ban on allowing tourists to access Amsterdam’s cannabis cafes is likely to be back on the city council agenda after the March 18 local elections.” reported Dutch News in its local coverage. “Since 2012, non-locals have been excluded from the cafes, known as coffeeshops, across much of the country, with the primary aim of ending drugs tourism from neighbouring Belgium, France and Germany.”

“But an exception was made for Amsterdam, on the condition that the city withdrew licences from coffeeshops located too close to schools. Now, however, there is likely to be a majority in favour of keeping tourists out of the city’s cafes as well, as part of the drive to reduce nuisance tourism.” the outlet also reported.

Critics of the proposal have been quick to point out the obvious flaw involved; that tourists will not all of a sudden completely stop purchasing and consuming cannabis in Amsterdam. Rather, they will turn to unregulated sources for cannabis, and without anywhere to legally consume it, will presumably do so in places that non-cannabis consumers may not be happy about.

Prohibition is a failed public policy, and as historical data clearly demonstrates, prohibition does not eliminate cannabis use. Amsterdam and the Netherlands as a nation would be wiser to modernize their cannabis policies to reflect the reality that adults will consume cannabis whether it is legal to do so or not, and that includes tourists. Regulation is a far superior public policy approach than prohibition.