Coffeeshops

The following pages are for the purposes of education and information only. This should not be considered in any way to condone the use of cannabis, marijuana or other mind-altering substances.

Coffeeshops, not to be confused with cafés, have been a part of Amsterdam since the 1970s, when the Dutch government made a clear distinction in the law between 'hard' and 'soft' drugs. Unlike Amsterdam's fully legal smart shops, coffeeshops have always existed in a legal grey area. Today, Amsterdam's City Council, through agreement with the coffeeshop union Bond van Cannabis Detaillisten (BCD), allows coffeeshops to operate with the provision of set, non-transferable licences – shown by the display of an official, green and white sticker in the window.

One of the major events for coffeeshops in Amsterdam is the High Times Cannabis Cup, which takes place towards the end of November, during the week of Thanksgiving. This major smoking event usually leads to coffeeshop crawls and cannabis clouds throughout the city.

Under Dutch drug law, coffeeshops are allowed to sell a maximum of five grams of cannabis per person to their customers, providing said customers can present identification to show that they are over 18 years old. This can be quite strict in many coffeeshops, so be prepared to prove your age, even if you haven't been carded for years back home.

Other restrictions apply under Amsterdam's drug laws, such as the fact that it is not allowed to sell alcohol and cannabis products on the same premises. Since 2008 the introduction of the tobacco ban has made it illegal to smoke this dangerous substance in anyone's workplace. Pure cannabis joints may still be smoked as normal, as may bongs, pipes and joints made with the special 'herbal smoking mixtures' provided by some coffeeshops. Many coffeeshops also have a sealed 'smoking area' in order to allow customers to smoke joints containing tobacco.

No coffeeshops permit the use of hard drugs and you will find yourself ejected quite quickly should you try to test this.

As coffeeshops are not allowed to advertise, some travellers find it confusing and are unsure what to do upon entering one for the first time. Most coffeeshops will have a weed menu, often in the form of a book on the bar, from which customers can make a selection. You will then be presented with a plastic bag with your marijuana or hash inside and are free to leave with it or smoke it on the premises. Customers are welcome to smoke their own weed in coffeeshops too, though in this case you will be expected to purchase a drink or something as a courtesy.

One very important thing to remember is that hash and marijuana available in Amsterdam's coffeeshops is likely to be much stronger than most visitors to the city are used to. It's advisable not to choose the strongest thing on the menu, as what is good for inveterate smokers could prove too much for those new to the city, and may even ruin your night.

For the same reason, it is a good idea to stay clear of pre-rolled joints and 'space cakes' if you are unsure as to your tolerance. The amount of cannabis they contain varies and can often be quite a lot. A good rule of thumb is: if you're unsure, ask the staff - they will usually be happy to offer advice and recommend something that will suit.

There are many coffeeshops in Amsterdam, and they differ as wildly in style, approach and atmosphere as any other type of establishment.