Amsterdam is a beautiful city known for its coffee culture, which often goes hand in hand with its cannabis culture. Since the Netherlands is one of the few weed-friendly countries in Europe, it makes for a great tourist spot for cannabis lovers. Here’s everything you need to know about Amsterdam coffee shops for your next trip!
Understanding the Difference Between Coffee Shops and Coffeeshops
Amsterdam has a booming coffee shop scene, popular amongst both coffee lovers and marijuana smokers. These special coffee shops became active a few decades ago, after the Dutch law started differentiating soft and hard drugs, therefore changing its policy on cannabis consumption.
The main difference between Amsterdam coffee shops and coffeeshops is that one refers to regular coffee shops that offer coffee, tea, and other beverages, while the other offers both coffee and cannabis. Before you enter a random shop, it’s good to know that not all coffee shops sell cannabis goods, but locals are quite used to this misconception. The good thing is that in both places, you can get top-quality coffee, but if you are looking to get some cannabis goods, look for a weed-friendly sticker or a cannabis sign.
How do Amsterdam Coffee Shops Operate
Much like regular coffee shops, they are cozy spots where you can lounge and enjoy a cup of coffee in a nice atmosphere, but also buy and smoke cannabis. Weed-friendly coffeeshops are licensed places where you can legally buy cannabis, but under Dutch law, you must be at least 18 years old or older to buy cannabis products.
Amsterdam Coffee Shop Menu
Each coffeeshop has its own special menu with many cannabis goods to choose from. Regardless of whether you are a beginner or a seasoned cannabis connoisseur, the selection can be overwhelming due to various strains, flavors, and potencies. Before heading to your desired shop, make sure you know exactly what you want to try.
You have two prominent options to choose from in most coffeeshops, when it comes to consumption methods:
- Pre-rolls: You can buy pre-rolls packed with premium cannabis, available in various sizes and varieties. Some pre-rolls are pure cannabis, while some are packed with a blend of cannabis and tobacco.
- Loose cannabis: You can get loose buds and easily available rolling paper if you prefer to do it yourself.
Baked goods and regular coffee shop snacks can be found in most Amsterdam coffeeshops, while some even carry cannabis-infused sweets and edibles.
Some Things To Keep in Mind
While the Netherlands is quite liberal about cannabis consumption, some rules that should be followed, such as:
- Alcohol consumption: Most coffeeshops in Amsterdam won’t sell alcohol, as alcohol consumption is not recommended with cannabis. Some tourists are unaware of this and might bring their own alcohol or ask for it on the spot, which is not a good idea. Coffeeshops are considered spaces for relaxing and smoking weed, adding alcohol to the mix can potentially disrupt that peace.
- Not being able to smoke everywhere: Before lighting up a joint, make sure to ask if smoking inside is allowed or if there is a designated area for it.
- Amsterdam coffeeshops are more tourist-friendly: Many coffeeshops across the Netherlands won’t sell cannabis goods to foreigners, while Amsterdam is the safest bet.
- Importing and exporting drugs is not allowed: Cannabis consumption is strictly regulated, and any sort of importing or exporting is prohibited both for foreigners and locals.
Cannabis Lounges in the U.S.
Cannabis lounges, which are usually connected to a licensed dispensary, offer a similar experience to Amsterdam coffee shops. Adults over the age of 21 can socialize, chill, and enjoy cannabis products in a comfortable setting. The Artist Tree cannabis lounges in West Hollywood and Hawthorne are curated spaces offering a good time to all cannabis connoisseurs.
Regardless if you are in the US or overseas, researching the cannabis-friendly places you want to visit is key to having a satisfying experience.