Amsterdam Bans Tobacco, Marijuana Still Legal

The Dutch government has followed suit with most other nations in the European Union, banning tobacco in indoor businesses, restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, movie theaters and sporting arenas.

But unlike its peers in the EU, the loophole legality allowed to marijuana will remain unquestioned. Amsterdam, known for leniency with regards to marijuana among other practices, attracts millions of tourists each year boasting over 150 coffee shops where it is legal to sell up to 5 grams of marijuana to individual users.

Although patrons will still have to endure clouds of smoke in the cafes and coffee shops, it will be purely marijuana smoke. Says Ian Thomas, a waiter/dealer at the Blues Brothers Coffee shop in central Amsterdam, "Anywhere else in the world, you can't have weed in any tobacco. Not this is the only country where you're not allowed to put tobacco in your weed."