Enjoy this magic atmosphere with us.
Amsterdam has about 250 coffeeshops and most of them are located in the Red Light District. As soon as you set a foot there you can feel the magic atmosphere of the place. The way prostitutes are working openly and perfectly regulated by law, the marijuana lovers looking for the very best and all kind of people. Amsterdam is unique. And there is no doubt that its magic has much to do with the coffeeshops and the sense of freedom people have in this delicious city.
From psychedelic lovers to hippies and hipster-ish; but also from very local ones to more touristic places, each of Amsterdam coffeeshops has its own atmosphere. You will find the one that suits you perfectly. They are meant basically to smoke weed. But they are also social meeting points to spent a wonderful time and get togetter with your friends and aquintances. Watching TV, playing chess or card games and much more can be done here. And be sure it will always be a very relaxing experience.
Due to the allowance of cannabis consumption, the Netherlands have a reputation of being very liberals, which is true. But you better know the Dutch law and the rules inside a coffee shop.
Amsterdam cannabis law
The Netherlands have a special tolerance policy on soft drugs. But don’t misunderstand this concept and lets look at the laws:
– Possession of drugs is punishable. As far as you don’t have more than 5 grams of cannabis (marijuana or hash) the cops will simply seize the drugs. You can give them up and you will not be prosecuted.
-Possession of more than the allowed five grams of soft drugs, you will be given a fine and depending on the quantity you could end up in jail.
– Minors are not allowed to have kind of drugs. The tolerance policy does not apply to them, so you must be 18 or over to buy weed in a coffeeshop.
-However, growing cannabis at home is illegal. However 5 plants or less you can give them up and you will generally not be fined or end in jail. It is kind of absurd because having coffeeshops to buy cannabis but don’t be allowed to cultivate it yourself doesn’t make much sense to me.
– Hard drugs are completely prohibited.
– Import and export of drugs is illegal
– You cannot smoke in public places. You can smoke weed only in Amsterdam coffeeshops.
The basic rules to enjoy cannabis in Amsterdam coffeeshops
You must be 18 or older (21 years old in some establishment) and always have your passport or ID at hand.
You aren’t allowed to come more than twice a day to the same coffee shop
You can buy maximum 5 grams per day
Alcohol and cigarettes are prohibited
You must not cause any disturbance.
The use of hard drugs is strictly forbidden
Brief history of the Amsterdam coffeeshops
This unique phenomenon began in the 70’s along with the growing hippy movement. Marijuana and hashish were illegal at that time. But there were places like the Paradiso or the Melkweg where famous artists used to play their music and people would enjoy simply listening to the music and smoking a good joint. That’s how in those music places people could find some house dealers. These dealers were tolerated to do their business inside the houses.
Finally iIn 1972, the first coffee shop was opened-It was the legendary Mellow Yellow. At that time, the place was called a “tea house” and it was the only place where you could buy and smoke marijuana in an almost legal way. In fact, according to the Dutch law cannabis was illegal. But the heroin time began with so much strength that Government had to difference between hard and soft drugs. Politicians and police realized that a tolerating policy on cannabis was an excellent option. It would be a way to keep people away from hard drugs.
The owner of the Mellow Yellow – Wernerd never imagined he was going to start a big business and become part of the history.
