Hey, im going to Amsterdam in Feb 2008 with college as a second year trip studying Van Goth bla bla im not interested in that so much. But the meaning of my thread is really to get some advice. I know im not going for another 5 months, but I need to know about the local laws on the weed there. Iv looked at websites on google but most of the pages are from 2006 and mention laws changing in 2007. From what iv heard its illegal to buy weed over there as a tourist. Im just worried about getting fucked over by the police and it messing up my trip. IF it is legal at the moment I would also like some advice from people who have visited Amsterdam and bought weed there for them selves. How would I ask a coffeeshop worker if they have any joints for sale? Is it a discreet thing, or is there no need to keep things quiet. I dont want to come off all dodgy on them lol. Well thanks for your help in advance. Also... is there any 'brand' I should try over there. Im a light weed smoker so I dont want anything that will knock me onto the floor and give me a whitey.
Smoking tolerance level [1= very illegal 5=virtually legal]: 5 Legislation: For anyone over the age of 18, hashish and marijuana are free, legl and available. You can buy a daily maximum of 5 gram hash or weed in municipality-controlled ´Coffeeshops´. Law Enforcement: The police don’t arrest any kind of soft drug users, although you may find it unpleasant to smoke in the quiet neighborhoods’ streets. Where to Buy marijuana in Amsterdam: You will find many brands of marijuana for purchase on the counter, at any coffee-shop. Either by the gram, or a fixed joint. .adHeadline {font: bold 10pt Arial; text-decoration: underline; color: blue;}.adText {font: normal 10pt Arial; text-decoration: none; color: black;}Advertise on WeBeHigh! The best travel site on earth - give us a try! Your Ad Here Amsterdam Hashish Prices: average price per gram, broadcasted by National Dutch VARA Radio by Koos Zwart updated 22/06/06 Royal (Morocco 0-0+) 10$(8 euro) Temple Balls (Nepal) 10$ (8 euro) Ketama (Morocco 0-0) 9$ (7 euro) Kashmir (India) 9$ (7 euro) Super Polm (Morocco) 9$ (7 euro) Manali (India) 8$ (6.5 euro) Polm (Morocco) 8$ (6.5 euro) Yellow (Lebanon) 7.5$ (6 euro) Red (Lebanon) 7.5$ (6 euro) Afghani 6$ (5 euro) Amsterdam Marijuana Prices: average price per gram, broadcasted by National Dutch VARA Radio by Koos Zwart updated 22/6/06 Edelweiss (Dutch) 10$ (8 euro) Punto Rojo (USA) 9.5$ (7.5 euro) Golden Acapulco 9.5$ (7.5 euro) Skunk (Dutch) 9$ (7 euro) Purple Haze (Dutch) 8$ (6 euro) Van Vollenhoven (Dutch) 4$ (3 euro) Schelto Skunk (Dutch) 2.5$ (2 euro) Beatrix Bleu (Dutch) 1.25$ (1 euro)
Cannabis has never been legal in the Netherlands, it's tolerated. If you're still 17 at the time of your trip then you won't be able to visit any coffeeshops. It's not illegal to buy weed over there as a tourist, it's tolerated. You can not purchase more than 5 grams per transaction and technically carrying more than this is an arrestable offence (though this is very rarely enforced and your whole trip I doubt you'll speak to a police officer once, whatever you get up to you won't get fucked by the police). When you want to purchase some weed or hash go into the coffeeshop and ask the bartender to see the menu (this won't be on display because that would be advertising, which is not allowed). If you don't know what you want, it's a half decent place and there's not a big queue behind you then tell the bartender the effects you're looking for (high, stoned, trippy, mellow etc) and she'll be able to pick something accordingly. Be polite and respectful, don't raise your voice or become impatient at the pace of service -they're doing you a favour. Many dutch people take a dim view of loud, obnoxious brit/american stoner tourists & students so don't expect service with a smile every time, this is europe after all. The plus side of that is you're not expected to tip in most situations so deal with a bit of coldness. It's nothing personal. If you're buying joints be aware that 9 times out of 10 they're shit and not worth it. Buy your own and if you can't roll ask the bartender to do it for you (if they're not busy, and then you should tip them something or just smoke them up). Also be aware 90% of europeans smoke joints with tobacco in if you don't smoke baccy and someone passes you something. Also be aware the consistent quality of the weed and hash everywhere might be a lot higher than you're used to so pace yourself when smoking some strong stuff. Enjoy and remember to be quiet and respectful, it's too easy to carried away having a laugh with your friends and piss someone off. Don't smoke in the Red Light District, there's no nice coffeeshops round there and it's a pretty horrible tourist trap area. Leidseplein is a nice neighbourhood with some cool bars, likewise Jordaan and around AlbertCuypStraat there's some nice places and a great market. Waterlooplein also has a great flea market. Be good! And sorry to be pedant but I had to pull you up on Van Goth. It's van Gogh, you're meant to be studying it, at least get his damn name right!
actually if you in amsterdam most coffee shops dont bother asking for ID, alot of the smaller coffee shops outside of the city are alot more strict. either or though, the best route is just to get a friends ID that is 18 and looks a little like you. My sister did that for a year. The Pre-rolled joints are not all shit IMO. It depends on if you like it mixed or pure. Most coffee shops retail those at about 3 euros for a mixed and 5 for a pure, but they are massive spliffs. Def not a bad way to go if you cant roll or anything. Almost every coffee shop has a menu, just ask and they will be able to help you. Some coffeeshops just sell coffee, so be sure to look to see if the word is american or dutch. Koffieshops usually just sell coffee, coffee shops sell weed. Also some bars in amsterdam your allowed to smoke at even though they dont actually sell weed. Sensi Seed is a great example of a good place to go get a corona in amsterdam and smoke some great ganja
Thanks for your help, I will be 18 by the time I go. Would it be best to smoke in the actual coffeeshops or can you go for a wonder while smoking a joint? Im used to going to a park for a joint and just relaxing.
well i mean its def more kosher to be in the coffeeshop, but when i was there i stayed in a village called Laren, and i would either smoke in the park during the day or go to the coffeeshop in Hilversum. At night i would smoke in public walking down the street after bars and shit. keep in mind this wasent in amsterdam
I've not been asked for ID myself (look a bit old hehe) but I've seen lots of young looking guys and gals being asked, especially in central A'dam. I've been going 2+ times a year for 10 years now and have really only noticed ID's being asked over the last few years Anyhow, the point I was trying to make is if you're not 18 then don't bother trying, it puts the coffeeshop's license at risk and is a very selfish thing to do. Get your friend to go and buy it for you. As for the prerolled being massive, that's standard euro size reefers not those american matchstick things you guys call joints If you buy weed it works out cheaper to roll a joint with the same amount of weed in it than buying prerolled... Indeed there are many good bars where you can enjoy a joint (not purchased on the premises) with your beer. As long as you're buying drinks then often places don't mind but ask first. The worst you'll get is a no. One thing I forgot to mention in my previous post: if you're smoking in a coffeeshop you need to buy coffee or soda as well. It's very bad form otherwise and if you're not buying drinks you'll probably get kicked out for taking up room, regardless of whether you bought weed there or not. Also, it's not a problem to take your own smoke to a coffeeshop, again, if you buy drinks. Enjoy!
I will not recommend you to smoke joints in public. You can get fined the same way as when drinking alcohol in public, only the fine is almost 3 times as high (you will get fined 125 euro's when smoking in public, or even for holding a bag of marijuana in your hands). Altough you can get fined ... who the fuck cares, when you see one of the blue bastards quickly extinquish with a wet finger and hide the joint When you are going to Amsterdam I sure as hell do not recommend the Bulldog, as that is the place where most foreigners go ... and at the same moment ... the worst place to get your stuff. When you are there, try asking for 'De Dampkring'. It's one of the top coffeeshops in my country. About the law? You may carry up to 20 or 25 grams, and a coffeeshop may not sell you more then 5 grams at a time. It's actually not a law, the law says it's illegal.
There's a special what we call 'gedoogbeleid' translated 'toleratepolicy', this is a kind of agreement that tolerates marijuana possession and coffeeshops. In the law nothing of this is legal, and if you show up in court for possession or growing of kilograms this will be used against you. However, if you stay within the toleratepolicy you will not be actively prosecuted. It's best to smoke your joints at home, in your backyard or on your balcony. Or in a coffeeshop or bar that allows it. If you want to smoke it on the street ... you may end up with a 125 euro fine, in dollars this would be around 160 ~ 170 dollars. Plus that they might take your stash if you're unlucky. Since you are not a grower, nor a smuggler (i think) you will have nothing to worry about. And there are plenty of coffeeshops in Amsterdam they are not hard to find, I swear lol.
