Amsterdam mayor granted permission to close some marijuana cafés

Amsterdam has won court permission to ban marijuana cafés in its famous Red Light district, stepping up a crackdown on the city’s freewheeling lifestyle.

Amsterdam has won court permission to ban marijuana caés in its famous Red Light district, stepping up a crackdown on the city’s freewheeling lifestyle.

Marijuana is technically illegal in the Netherlands, but possession of small amounts is not prosecuted and it is sold openly in “coffee shops”.