I was just in the Netherlands researching the new edition of my guidebook on Amsterdam and getting up-to-date on the “coffeeshop” (i.e., marijuana) scene. Regardless of how you might hate or love marijuana and what you think about American laws, it’s fun to try to understand the Dutch system. Here’s what I learned just last week.
When tourists call an ambulance after smoking too much pot, Dutch medics just say, “Drink something sweet and walk it off.” Amsterdam, Europe’s counterculture mecca, thinks the concept of a “victimless crime” is a contradiction in terms. Drive under the influence of anything and you’re toast. Heroin and cocaine are strictly illegal in the Netherlands, and the police stringently enforce laws prohibiting their sale and use. But, while hard drugs are definitely out, marijuana causes about as much excitement as a bottle of beer.
Throughout the Netherlands, you’ll see “coffeeshops” — pubs selling marijuana, with display cases showing various joints or baggies for sale. The minimum age for purchase is 18, and coffeeshops can sell up to five grams of marijuana per person per day.
Because of laws prohibiting the advertising of marijuana, you need to take the initiative and ask to see the menu. In some places, there’s actually a button you must push and hold down to see the menu illuminated. And the menu looks like the inventory of a drug bust.
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| Americans with no reason for paranoia play hide and seek in an Amsterdam coffeeshop. Enlarge photo |
The big news on the coffeeshop scene is the new nationwide smoking ban. These laws pertain to tobacco smoke, but not marijuana smoke. But the Dutch, like the rest of Europe, mix their marijuana with tobacco. It might seem strange to an American, but if a coffeeshop is busted…it’s busted for tobacco. Shops are mixing a kind of herbal tea as a tobacco substitute for joints. Coffeeshops with a few outdoor seats have a huge advantage, as their local customers can light up outside. And shops without the outdoor option are in for an extra challenge, as many local smokers would rather get their pot “to go” than smoke it without tobacco at their neighborhood coffeeshop.
Pre-rolled joints are now sold pure, with the non-tobacco “hamburger helper” herb mix, and with tobacco. The pure marijuana joints are much easier to buy now than just a year ago. Some shops sell individual joints (€2-5, or about $3-7.50). Others sell only small packs of three or four joints. Shops sell marijuana and hash in pre-rolled joints and in little baggies. Shops have loaner bongs and “smoke-free” inhalers, and dispense cigarette-rolling papers like toothpicks.
While Dutch law allows for shops to keep an inventory of up to 500 grams, the wholesale dimension is the famous “grey area” in the law. It’s just left out of the equation. Most shops get their inventory from the pot equivalent of home brewers or microbrewers. Shops with better “boutique suppliers” get the reputation for having better-quality weed (and regularly winning the annual Cannabis Cup). The tax authorities don’t want to see more than 500 grams (about a pound) on the books at the end of each accounting cycle, and shops lose their license when found with too much in stock.
A shop could retail a ton of pot with no problem, as long as it maintains that tiny stock and refills it as needed. Amsterdam’s mayor, understanding that this just has the city busy with small-time deliveries, has proposed doubling the allowable inventory level. The reason the inventory level is kept so small: They want shops to stay small and not become bases for exportation. Providing pot to neighboring countries would bring more international pressure on the Netherlands to crack down on its coffeeshop culture.
The other legal trend is that licenses are not being renewed in some neighborhoods as the city wants to maintain a certain smattering of shops and not have too big a concentration in any one area.
The Dutch are not necessarily pro-marijuana, but they do believe that a prohibition on marijuana would cause more problems than it solves. Statistics support the Dutch belief that their system works. They have fewer hard drug problems than other countries. And they believe America’s policy is based on fear, misinformation, and electoral politics, rather than rationality. And, after a 10-year track record, the Dutch have found that their drug policy does not result in more pot smoking. Statistically, Americans smoke twice as much pot as the Dutch (per capita).
Smoke, smoke, smoke that marijuana cigarette. : – )))))
The argument of pro vs anti-marijuana legislation is an old argument in the US. Kind of bores me. Yet, I must admit that in Amsterdam they have this system of coffeeshops and it works. I was in Amsterdam in 2005 and found it to be totally low key and extremly local with your mix of tourists in certain parts of the city.
Rick, Issues that are easily managed in small, low populated countries, simply cannot be controlled in a country our size with its abundance of incompetant bureaucracies. Our government agencies have a long track record of poor management! We would just be opening the door to MORE drug trafficking!
Way to go, Rick! I love how you just keep putting one foot in front of the other…even on dangerous ground….but always with commonsense and a smile;-) Mike, I’m very surprised at your comment. Those are some pretty sweeping statements you have made. Do you have some actual facts to support them? Somehow our country gets social security checks out each month like clockwork, we manage our forests and fisheries for the common good, our airlines are among the safest and fly all over the world, most of our communities are much safer than many on the world, my folks get the health care they need and have very little trouble doing so, our highways roll more freight and cars than just about any other in the world, our work places are safer than most, our education system seems to work pretty good, our ports work great, we have great emergency responders. I guess I could go on, but all this stuff works pretty good in a big country. A country where we can pretty get done anything we set our minds to…as history has shown. Perhaps, instead of bureaucracies, you really mean “political appointee’s”? This seems to be the main source of the incompetancy these last few years. On drug trafficing: I would rather my son or daughter bought their pot from a state controlled enterprise than in a back alley from a diseased, gun toting, thieving, violent criminal. I’d rather have state controlled pot instead of outlawing it and driving it underground, which then creates a criminal underworld. If it’s not illegal, then the problem doesn’t fester in the dark. We can deal with issues that come up because they can be seen by all. People can get help. Segments of our society don’t get as demonized. When you criminalize something, people don’t stop doing it, they just hide it. The harder cops look, the better people get at hiding it. I want to know what my kids are doing. I don’t want them to visit hell to do it.
In 1919, some people had much the same idea about alcohol as some people have about marijuana today. That problem was easily solved by passing Amendment XVIII. As we know, from that day on, no one consumed a drop of alcohol, and everything was just fine. === However, in 1933 a bunch of drunks were able to sneak Amendment XXI into the constitution, and we know what has happened since. These days, in the world there are bottles and cans with at least 1,000,000 different labels, and no one has the slightest idea what is in each and every one of them. People still complain about Mary Jane, when many people say it helps them with health issues. Did you ever hear of anyone who said, “I feel so much better after drinking … … …†I wonder, how many of the anti-Mary Jane people, have had a drop of alcohol in their life, or in the past 5 minutes? Now here again, I am the expert with absolutely no experience in either substance, but I am allowed an opinion.
I think it is great that the dutch are able to make pot legal and allow people to use it responsibly. Unfortunately, in our contry making marijuana legal would not work because frankly we are not responsible. We are excessive. Alcohol is legal as well yet we can’t control ourselves with that. Why do you think we have such a high death rate from drunk drivers. Why do you think we have a high rate of DUI in this country. We don’t know when to stop. Would we be able to limit the use of it just in the bars and in our homes? No, I don’t think so. I think that in order for pot to become legal in this country we need to show that we would be able to control its use and maybe have america grow up a little.
Rick what does the no smoking law do to the Brown Cafes or Bars? Will they now become White Cafes? Sorry about the Russian posting, I thought things were slowing down too much !?!
another opportunity for Rick to support his pro-marjuina views. I would like to hear what the country does for people who ruin their lungs, ambition impaired and long term effect of brain function with chronic marijuana use. Don’t tell me people don’t get addicted because they do. I would like to see the source for the factoid here that more people in the US smoke dope than Netherlanders. Per capita? Anyone who lived through the 60′ and 70’s can come up with examples of someone they know who blew so many brain cells they ended up dead ending up washing dishes for a living after college
Looks like a page right out of the Europe throught the back door book.
Looks like a page right out of the Europe throught the back door book.
Hey Rick, did you inhale? Wasn’t your daughter recently in Am’dam? I wonder if she has…
If the U.S. had penalties against alcohol as strict as the Netherlands, then we would have far less alcohol issues. The U.S. government, at the behest of big business, fosters an irresponsible drinking society. Recent public service messages, etc. are little more than window dressing, but at least a step in the right direction. When we elect a lieing drunk and doper as the prime example for our populace, then we still have a long way to go.
I’m wondering that when the Dutch smoke pot in their “coffeehouses”, are there noise ordinances that prohibit uncontrollable laughter from bothering neighbors adjacent to said coffeehouse? (For some reason, I can’t get the picture of James Franco from “Pineapple Express” out of my head). Also, can you actually get a cup ‘o joe in these coffeehouses? If so, do you have to request the coffee “cannabis-free”? God bless the Dutch.
The Dutch and American drug statistics are interesting. Travel sure opens one’s eyes to the different ways each country handles things. Good thing we’re not all alike! Happy travels!
Hey Dave, You make an interesting point, that Americans aren’t resopnsible enough (are too “excessive”) to handle legal marijuana. I think it’s a chicken-and-the-egg issue: My belief is that we’re irresponsible in our use of alcohol and marijuana (not to mention sexuality) BECAUSE our society is so much more restrictive on these issues than Europe. Our puritanical approach worsens the very things that we’re trying to prevent. For example, I believe that if the drinking age in the US were 15 or 16, you wouldn’t have the epidemic of ridiculous binge-drinking on college campuses–it just would stop being such a big deal for young adults, who would learn how to drink responsibly in their teens, under the watchful eye of Mom and Dad. A similar logic applies to marijuana. The statistics since the Netherlands decriminialized certainly bears this out.
Amsterdam and the USA’s drug policies are just so yin and yang, i agree with mike the practices the Dutch have had in place for may years has been proven to work only because the whole works under the small understanding and laws. America with her own laws and states with there own laws could never incoporate such a system. as for the Dutch having a more milder hard drugs issue. sorry but have to disagree on that one they have as much an issue as any country with class A drugs. the reason its so prolifically high lighted in the States and not with the Dutch is the shear quantities, and public response Denmark is not so much diffrent with there drugs issues as any other. they just handle if in a more mature manner, giving the people the choice.
Bill, you stated: When we elect a lieing drunk and doper as the prime example for our populace, then we still have a long way to go. Obama has not yet been elected, as difficult as that may be to believe. Perhaps we should prohibit alcohol sales in the USA. OOOPPPS already tried that one. Death to drinkers, that should work.
Rick, wow this was fascinating. It helps me evaluate information though when you cite the source. What’s the source for the last sentence, please?
Amsterdam is one of the quietest, most civilized cities I have ever visited. Although it would seem to be “Sodom and Gomorrah with canals” the reality is very different. Wonderful people, beautiful sights, and a relaxed and grown-up outlook on life. About the only thing you need to worry about is getting knocked over by one of their almost silent running trams! I was in Vancouver last week (another great city) but yet was struck by how much better it would be if marijuana was sold legally as opposed to illegally-but-somewhat-tolerated. One can walk right into a coffeeshop in Vancouver and immediately see people openly smoking. Unfortunately, in order to obtain the products, one DOES have to commit an illegal act, and venture into a rather sketchy part of town. Perhaps one day Canada will take the next step. Perhaps one day even we in the US will finally see past the bigotry and racist politics that made marijuana illegal in the 1930’s. As a note, it was entirely legal in the US until that point, and George Washington himself was a large grower of hemp. Thank you for taking a stand, and keep on traveling, Rick!
Hey Travel Bug….WRONG and I’m sure you are wrong over and over again…You have an agenda and science be dammed. A few months ago I ran across this study..look it up Travel Bug and then use your brain this time. Marijuana: Smoking It Doesn’t Cause Lung Cancer, Study Finds 5/26/06 http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/437/tashkinstudy.shtml A new study by researchers at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine led by Dr. Donald Tashkin, a prominent marijuana researcher, has found no link between marijuana smoking and lung cancer. While smoking cigarettes greatly increases the risk of lung cancer, smoking marijuana did not appear to have any effect, the study found. “”We know that there are as many or more carcinogens and co-carcinogens in marijuana smoke as in cigarettes,” said Tashkin. “But we did not find any evidence for an increase in cancer risk for even heavy marijuana smoking.” The study involved more than 600 lung cancer patients, more than 600 patients with other head and neck cancers, and a control group of more than 1000 people without cancer. Previous studies had found high levels of carcinogens in pot smoke. Given that users tend to inhale deeply, researchers theorized that they were at increased risk of cancer. But the study found that even heavy marijuana users — more than 22,000 joints smoked — had no elevated risk of lung cancer. We can now add lung cancer to the seemingly endless list of things marijuana has actually not been found to cause, government claims to the contrary: axe-murdering, male breast enlargement, amotivational syndrome, brain damage, the urge to use other drugs…
More than 22,000 joints smoked by a single person? Yeah, I guess you could refer to that person as being a “heavy user”. If you do the math, that’s a joint a day for over 60 years…..or twice a day, every day, for over 30 years. Wow, doesn’t sound the least bit habit-forming to me. I’m sure the smoker in question is living a perfectly normal life.
Jon Himbert makes a great point. He’s talking about the law of attraction, I believe. I was raised by my grandparents who were very mellow people. In my childhood, I was always given a sip of alcohol. Now, close to retirement, I have a beer about once a month and maybe something around holidays. My brother who was raised by my very strict religious parents became an alcoholic and a heroin, etc. user. True story. In my opinion, a whole lot of religions and governments and neighbors, do a pretty darn good simulation of hell, right here on earth. Sorry Ken. I think we need a symbol for “dripping sarcasm”. Will, you need to read my first post again. You got me wrong.
Hey Rick, do you have a source for those statistics you cited?
Not to get totally off-topic, but I wanted to respond to those who thought Europe had the market on responsible use of drugs (alcohol, cigarettes, pot, etc). In 2003, Newsweek Int’l had an article called “Is Europe Drinking Too Much,” which chronicled the alarming increase in teen binge drinking. http://www.newsweek.com/id/60295 More recently, they had an article called “The Teen Drinking Dilemma” which had the following, “It’s also widely believed that youngsters in countries with a lower legal age learn to drink responsibly and moderately. There is one problem with that impression: it is not true. “The highest rate of cirrhosis of the liver is in France,” where it’s legal to drink at 16, says Chuck Hurley, chief executive officer of Mothers Against Drunk Driving. According to a study by the U.S. Department of Justice, fewer American adolescents drink than teens in most other industrialized countries.” It may have less to do with “puritanical” vs. “legalization” attitudes, but rather the treatment of those with drug issues, whatever those may be. And the media coverage/conventional wisdom of surrounding different countries may also shape our views.
Forgot to add: it may not be that the Netherlands has it all right, or that the US has it all wrong–
Jon, I do agree with your point. It does for the most part make sense. What I am saying though is that americans take everything to the extreme. They DO NOT take responsibility for there actions. I use the example alcohol but there are many others. We allow, in most states kids to drive at an early age. But they are also the ones with the highest percentage of automobile accidents and fatalities. Why does your auto insurance go through the roof when a child in your family gets a drivers license? Over the counter medications are another example. They are there for our connivence and to help us and our families feel better yet at this moment the american pediatric association is pushing to have cold medications removed from the shelves because we over use them for our children. Not to mention the fact that some of these could medication now are behind the counter because our “very intelligent” druggies coming up with a way of cooking them down to make meth. Now we have to show a drivers license and sign a document just to purchase some cold medicine. I would certainly agree that legalizing it would put a stop to the huge amount of money being poured down the drain but I don’t think that it would help much in this country. We are a nation of addictions
To Rick Steves: Just heard your interview on KUOW radio (was commuting back home) about how american marijuana laws are screwed up. Good show! Its about damn time someone came out & said it, and I’m glad it was someone with perspective. Thanks!
In another 20 years the Netherlands will be majority Muslim, so all of this talk about pot laws in that country has no long term relevance (Islam forbids pot smoking). Oh, did I also mention that the Netherlands is one of the few nations in the world that permits doctors to euthanize newborns with disabilities? So much for tolerance!
KC: The title of the article is not “Lessons Learned in an Amsterdam Abortion Clinic”…stick to the topic, OK ? Rick, thanks for the research on the Amsterdam scene. Interesting stuff. Shawn
Shawn, The children are killed AFTER they are born. That’s called euthanasia. Holland is among the few countries that permits that. Holland is also partly responsible for the Srebrenica massacre in Bosnia (which is well documented). I’m just saying we need to get over this idea of Holland being a “tolerant” utopia. It ain’t. By the way, YOU didn’t even respond to the comment that I did make about the relevant topic at hand.
To All, I’m sorry if some of my previous comments are irrelevant to this particular subject. I raise these other issues because I’m just simply tired, tired, tired of liberal minded people romanticizing Holland and it’s supposed “tolerance.” Rick Steves and his followers rarely ever mentions the dark side to the countries that he idolizes. I just feel like shaking the boat a little and getting people to think about other issues.
All those posting here would be well served to compare the Netherlands and US soft drug use as it relates to moving on to hard drugs. Over the past 20 years the Dutch government has conducted studies to see if the use of Cannabis led to the use of other hard drugs. The results of these various studies (all available on line) show that of those Dutch citizens who started to use Cannabis at the legal age of 18, 15% went on to use hard drugs (or at least experiment). Similar studies have been conducted in the US and the results were quite different – 85% of young Cannabis users went on to at least experiment with hard drugs. The Dutch government believes that taking the sale out of the hands of the street market is why they have a much lower incidence of hard drug use. Further, the Dutch studies show that close to 85% of those who tried/used Cannabis as soon as they came of age stopped using it after a few years.
For those of you with no PERSONAL EXPERIENCE(as in YOURSELF–NOT YOUR KIDS OR OTHERS) with the subject at hand (a NATURAL, God-giveN, non-PROCESSED dried flower bud, maybe you should just shut up and listen to those who do–or try it yourself! To have alcohol be legal and MJ illegal has no logical basis whatsoever. I was raised in the home of an alcoholic where the atmosphere was always tense and dangerous. The kitchen table would go flying, at times with supper on it. I only WISH my parents were smokers–I would have been much better off. A puff or two, watch the news, go to bed…yeah, that’s a seriously dangerous drug, that marijuana. Ever consider that marijuana is to the evening what your cup of coffee is to the morning? Get a life!! Don’t pick on Rick because has a BRAIN…
Steve, I love what you are doing for those MJ laws, we need them to be here exactly the same. You doing a great job. Ray in Mukilteo, WA
I don’t agree with having “coffee shops”, but I find it outlandish that they ban the use of tobbacco while legalizing marijuana!! The whole picture is a joke…………..
My wife and I spent 3 nights in Amsterdam and Harlem at the end of a 32 day trip to Europe for our 25th anniversary. She opted for a pre-rolled joint with a filter for 2 euros and I had a small bottle of Coco-Cola for half that amount. We both left with a smile. Sat right there in the front of the coffe shop at a street table with locals passing by shopping. Didn’t even get a raised eyebrow. Moderation in all things is a virtue.
It is interesting to me to read that the comments regarding pro cannabis prohibition in this country, also state that “Americans DO NOT take responsibility for their own actions.” If you have forgotten we are (aside from some groups) are basically a country founded by imported Europeans. To say that Americans can’t and wont take responsibility with an herb that has never been proven to cause death in and of itself is to me a very faithless assumption of your fellow brothers and sisters. I live in a state where its been a state law for 12 years now that medical use of cannabis is what the people want. Many of these people use it to be able to stop using prescription narcotics. So far I see less addiction stemming from the legalization. If you gave your fellow Americans some faith in making their own law abiding choices, maybe you would see more of a “European” type of handling it instead of supposed Irresponsible use of it. Conclusion; have some faith in this country and the voters of this nation. There are responsible minded people out there that got lumped into the “excessive addiction ridden America you speak of.”
I recently visited this Coffeeshop in Amsterdam http://www.coffeeshop-elguapo.com/ they showed me a good time and gave me lots of information about what weed to smoke. Just 5 minutes walk from central station.
I’ve just decided to seriously think about running away to Amsterdam at the end of the year. Coming here was amongst my first pieces of research. I am already enormously encouraged. No tobacco! They’re just so far ahead out there, it’s laughable. Good job.
Well said Sheridan. “you take a puff watch the news go to bed” well said. No need for violence when you smoke compared to alcohol..God bless weed….
Rick, just curious (paranoid?) about something…While they may have “coffeeshops” in Amsterdam and sell pot, can Americans really partake without risk of being busted? I ask because, according to our US passports, we are subject to all the laws and jurisdictions no matter where that passport may take us. I am looking for a real answer here, not just a bunch of “philosophies” and lectures, please.
dont go to the grey area went there this week and asked dealer for the finest of the fine the sticky of the icky and he recomened the white widow and isolator hash so i bought 2g of the widow and 3g of the so called isolator well let me tell you something about the grey area first we rolled up the widow big mistake this stuff wasnt even cured it was so fresh a blow tourch even a flame thrower couldnt light this stuff and to make things worst this homeless dutch guy keep asking for extra change or bud he said hes not picky he would like a gram of the isolator but he would settle for the uncured white widow when we refused to give him anything he reached for my bowl and proceded to light it up intill he relized he didnt have a light thats when he grab a lihter from my friends pocket when my friend tried to grab it back the homless guy dropped our bowl which we had just bought for 45 euros.
for anybody going to amsterdam to vist the coffeeshops i highly recommend La Canna its not far from the dam square it has wonderful weed and hash menu, it is the cheapest coffeeshop in town and the smoke is good qulity the service is out of this world as every ten minutes they brought us free drinks the board games were in execllent, good qulity games and they just got 2 x-boxes hooked up to each of there 60inch flat screens.WOW never thoght amsterdam would be so fun the had like 20 games to pick from i liked call of duty and madden, also try the x box live got to play 2 of my friends back home in cali WOW this place rocks best in town and country a must c try the black buddah cheese or the cottage cheese both hybrids of the big buddah cheese also try there hashplant+lemon lime ultra orange bud ripper stuff and the space cakes called wilda beast well let me explain a thing or 2 about these space cakes all i can say out of this world hell yeh split 1 with friend now i am a hevey smoker i smoke 2 ounces and for the next 2 days i couldnt think or function i almost stoped breathing 2 times the hash is even better buy afhgan border the shops dont recommend this stuff because they want it all for there self,greedy bastards keeping all the ripper stuff well La Canna sells it and let me tell u a little somrthing about what set those arabs off its a very spicy tasting,sweet smelling hash the original couch lock very strong clear high good daytime high well got to go but for anybody who isnt a light weight and is serious about gettin high go to LA CANNA once again for you short term memory no good pot heads go to LA CANNA do i have to write it down for u if u could just put down the pipes you stoners get off ur butts i no ur a lazy no good potheads i know its hard well have a good time in amsterdam u drug addicts and dont forget LA CANNA
Could it be the coffee shops? The bike riding lifestyle? Or the brick roads of the city center? No one was running on the streets of Amsterdam. My 3 guide books say nothing on the subject of running. Our smashing hotel staff suggest running in Vondelpark, the largest park in Amsterdam. I take an easy-to-manage tram to Vondlepark. At 8:30 am, the park is serene and verdant. Runners are doing their thing! A 4K asphalt bike route and a dirt path ring the park (with straightforward signs to guide me.) While running, I spot a tree full of green parrots! The grand Filmmuseum of Amsterdam (with requisite café) is located mid-park. Stately homes on tiny canals line the perimeter. Some vintage Clash and New Order feels right as I circle the park a few times. The Dutch, the tallest people on earth, are invariably fit and great looking. We see few cars in the city and nonstop bikes. People of all ages and manners of dress ride them. The bikes are often decorated with Mexican oilcloth bike bags. The fashion: think Eileen Fisher goes Scandinavian hippie princess. Men and women wear messenger bags of smart design; a jewelry of sorts. The bike riders are patient with Karen (quirky art teacher and treasured old friend) and I as we inadvertently step into the bike lane (watch out!!) People seem relaxed, open and friendly. In a country where tolerance prevails and people are directly connected to their environment, who needs to run and run? Very often, we spot men with their children. Is there a saner work/family dynamic here? Coffee shops are not the totality of Amsterdam. In fact, the Dutch smoke less marijuana per capita then Americans. Coffee shops have a diverse vibe and clientele. Many are quite civilized and economical. Others are filled with exuberant kids with unfortunate tee shirts. http://www.aboldpace.com
Thanks for the info… I was wondering if children were able to be in the coffee shops where marijuana is being sold. I understand you have to be 18 to buy, but are they able to sit in the shops while their folks smoke?