harsh

Dutch Government Ruins Amsterdam for Backpackers

Max Read · 05/28/11 11:58AM

The Netherlands' right-wing coalition government announced yesterday that it will ban tourists from weed-selling coffee shops by the end of the year, effectively giving the finger to backpackers everywhere. And while we generally support liberal drug laws, and have no fondness for Geert Wilders' anti-Muslim Freedom Party, we don't really blame the Dutch for wanting to limit drug tourism, given that it attracts the most annoying people on the planet.

Florida Bans Snortable 'Bath Salts'

Jeff Neumann · 02/08/11 07:41AM

Following Louisiana's lead, last week Florida slapped an emergency ban on synthetic drugs that are marketed as "bath salts" because people are losing their minds after snorting and smoking "Vanilla Sky," "White Lightning," and "Ivory Snow." The state's attorney general was pushed to ban the "drug" after some people flipped out, according to NPR:

It Sucks to Be a Smoker in Bhutan

Jeff Neumann · 01/12/11 07:12AM

You think anti-smoking regulations are tough in the US? Well, at least you don't have to worry about your home being raided by police with a tobacco sniffer dog, or face five years in prison for having too many cigarettes.

Woman Claims NYPD Beating Over Dog Crap

Jeff Neumann · 12/08/10 06:25AM

A Queens woman claims two NYPD cops beat her last month for not picking up her dog's shit. She said that the pile they saw was "cold" and therefore not her dog's, so they arrested and allegedly beat her. [NYDN]

Anti-Weed Vigilantes Firebomb Montana Clinics

Jeff Neumann · 05/11/10 04:24AM

Police in Billings, Montana, are looking for two young men suspected of attacking medical marijuana dispensaries with molotov cocktails and spray painting "NOT IN OUR TOWN" on the walls. Clinic owners say they won't be intimidated by these thugs. [AP]

Hurt Locker Producer Banned from the Oscars

Ravi Somaiya · 03/03/10 07:51AM

Nicolas Chartier sent an email to colleagues, including Academy members, asking them to choose his movie "not the $500-million film," a reference to Avatar. That was deemed against Academy rules on disparaging rival movies, so he's out. [LAT]