Amsterdam > Coffee Shops

The first coffeeshops in Amsterdam appeared in the 1970's and turned out to be a very profitable business. As we speak, Amsterdam houses around 400 such places, while all around The Netherlands their number reaches 1000. Coffeeshops are extremely appealing especially for young tourists in search for good and high quality marijuana and hash at low, accessible costs.

Until 1995, coffeeshops were illegitimate bussiness, but Amsterdamer authorities tolerated it in certain limits. Yet, what should have drawn the line between soft and hard drugs turned into a dangerous, illegal but up fronted, cocaine and hard-drug industry. The government was, thus, forced into making an official choice regarding the use of drugs and hallucinogenic substances: what goes and what stays, if it stays? This is how more than 200 coffeeshops out of the 500 existing in Amsterdam were shut down as criminal business and laws were implemented to control and institutionalize soft drug consume. For the coffeeshops left open, authorities put together a licensing system and oficialized their existence. However, licenses were frozen, to keep thus a strict control over things and ensure the legitimacy of the trade.

Also, the system puts a definite limit to opening other coffeeshops. For someone who wants to enter the business the only way to do it is to buy an already existing coffeeshop, not only the name, the location or the license separately. Moreover, it appears the new owner is not allowed to change its original location. These rules can only please the happy owners of coffeeshops in Amsterdam, as they can rely on the success of their business and don't have to worry about new come competition.
The license also acts as the only instrument that can give soft drugs a legitimate aspect in Amsterdam. Soft drugs bought or sold on the street or in any other unauthorized location is considered a crime and is punished accordingly.

Dutch authorities have set up rules to restrain soft drugs to personal use and prevent illegal trade. Therefore, marijuana and hash can only be purchased by adults (over 18) in amounts up to 30g. Buying or selling soft drugs on the street or anywhere else but licensed coffeeshops is strictly forbidden. In order to save yourself from problems and misunderstandings with the police, you should also keep on yourself no more than a few grams. Otherwise you may be suspected for trading and get into some serious trouble.

The amount of soft drugs is also restricted for coffeeshops. Owners are not allowed to keep more than 500g of weed or hash on the stock, although breaking this rule is often tolerated. It would be somehow hard to imagine how a popular and crowded coffeeshop would suddenly close for the evening because of low stock of weed, wouldn't it? Anyway, overcharging the soft drug stock only gets fined by the "soft drug specialists" responsible for implementing the law, if found, of course. Apparently, the fine is accessible and the overcharge doesn't get confiscated, which usually determines coffeeshop owners to keep enough weed to satisfy all their customers for the success of their business.

Customers are offered a menu with all the sorts they can buy and smoke in the coffeeshops. If not mentioned, ask how strong each sort is to avoid any kind of health problems. Keep in mind, however, that most locally produced mixed herbs are quite strong. In short, and this goes for the brownies, too, the more intense the smell and flavor, the stronger the effect. If you feel more comfortable, you can also ask for a pipe to smoke your herb. More and more coffee shops offer free tobacco, rolling papers and even vaporizers.

Unwritten rules of the coffeeshops in Amsterdam dispose that customers are not allowed to just hang around in the coffeeshop. Even if they don't purchase soft drugs, they must buy something to be allowed in. You can also buy nonalcoholic drinks in coffeesops, as consuming alcohol in association with soft drugs is strictly forbidden. Snacks are also available in most of the locations as well as sweets. Customers are not allowed either to make any kind of trade inside the coffeeshop. Selling goods or anything else is also forbidden. Some coffeeshops also restrict mobile phones out of personal reserve. Moreover, the use of hard drugs and aggressive behavior are banned inside and near coffeeshops. We advise you to remember both official and unofficial rules so that you won't go through any trouble with the police or the locals.

Cannabis became so popular in Amsterdam, for both locals and tourists, that authorities have managed to organize a Cannabis Cup, occurring yearly at the end of November, with plenty of publicity in advance. For many, especially young visitors, the Cannabis Cup has turned into a vacation reason, while travel agencies offer flight tickets, hotel reservations and touristic programs for that particular event. However, The Cannabis Cup is one of the pot growers' single chances to be appreciated and awarded for their work. They also have the opportunity to meet each other and exchange information.

Specialists in herbal medicine have long and interesting speeches about the benefits of medicinal marijuana and industrial hemp in curing certain conditions, along with displays of detailed research and tests. For usual visitors, with less interest in the scientific use of soft drugs, The Cannabis Cup can turn into a weed marathon they can experience in full legitimacy only in Amsterdam.