the new Amsterdam

The new Amsterdam: Skopje and Ohrid

Following the recent approval in many countries of the Balkans and Eastern Europe of the use of cannabis for medical purposes and the reclassification as “less dangerous opiates” made by the United Nations, North Macedonia Prime Minister, Zoran Zaev, has revealed his intentions to turn the two most important cities in the country, Skopje and Ohrid, into the new “Amsterdam of the Balkans”.

The next step that Zaev will take on the path to legalizing cannabis will be the approval of the recreational use of cannabis, allowing its trade in coffee shops.

the new Amsterdam

Not everyone wants a new Amsterdam

Macedonia already has 57 marijuana production plants and Zaev is reported to have (profitable) stakes in a cannabis production company. One of the arguments put into question by its main opponents, the country’s extreme right, with Vlatko Gjorcev, leader of IMRO, as the standard bearer. In addition, they also warn of the possible adverse effects that the recreational use of cannabis could have on the physical and mental health of the nation.

the new Amsterdam

The plan is announced with two main purposes: as a measure to open new business avenues that reduce profits and help control the black market. And secondly, it is proposed as a stimulus to promote tourism, taking into account that various studies indicate that tourism oriented to drug consumption will climb positions in the coming years.

As Zev confesses, the will is to take the witness of Amsterdam and fill the market gap that seems to be the capital of marijuana par excellence, since the City Council has presented a project to ban the entry of tourists to the coffeeshops.

the new Amsterdam

Precisely —as we reported in an article last week— Femke Halsema, mayor of the city and leader of the reform, set the goal of curbing youth tourism focused on drugs and attracting a public with higher purchasing power to those who offer other types of claims. Now it is North Macedonia that is taking the lead with Zoran Zaev at the forefront to expand the borders of a nation that seeks to blur them with the smoke of the peace pipe.

the new Amsterdam

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