Visiting a coffee shop in Amsterdam isn’t for everyone.  But if you’re bored with the canals, the clogs and the tulips, it can be another way to experience the culture of Amsterdam.  Here’s a taste of the coffee shop culture in Amsterdam…

Is Weed Legal in Amsterdam?

This information might come in handy if you’re ever on a episode of “Jeopardy,” but contrary to popular belief weed and hash is NOT legal in Amsterdam.  Coffee shops are technically illegal and possession is a misdemeanor.

But there’s a policy of tolerance in place and coffee shops are widely accepted by both the government and the public.  You won’t get busted for weed as long as you aren’t disturbing the peace and you don’t carry more than 5 grams at a time.  The policy on smoking outdoors in public is iffy, so it’s best to stay inside a coffee shop.

As of 2008, psychedelic mushrooms and space cakes have been banned, though apparently there’s a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that allows some shops to continue to sell as long as they keep it on the down low.

Up until our visit to Amsterdam, I had never done a drug in my life.  The closest I had ever been to getting high was under the influence of laughing gas at the dentist.  I didn’t even know what weed smelled like until I went to an Eminem concert.  I had always been curious, but I was too paranoid about trying it; the mental picture of cops with machine guns crashing through the window as soon as a joint touched my lips was enough to render me a wallflower at many a party.

But now that we were in a country where I didn’t have to fear jail time, I knew I had do it.  The problem was, I had no clue how to do it.  So we went to a place with all the answers… Cannabis College.

Our professor was a barely legal girl that had problems maintaining eye contact.  She told us about the history of marijuana use, how it’s made, its medicinal value and how to smoke it properly.  She handed us a map listing all 200-something coffee shops in Amsterdam (the number is always changing based on new laws) and we went on our way.

What To Expect Inside A Coffee Shop

Notice the conveniently placed French fry stand next door. They must make a fortune off stoners with the munchies.

For our first time smoking weed, we settled on Dampkring, one of Amsterdam’s most popular coffee shops thanks to its appearance in “Ocean’s Twelve.”  Despite its great reputation, I was still nervous; I kept thinking we’d open the door and walk into dorm room at Arizona State University, the walls covered with trippy images and peace signs, Bob Marley blasting through the speakers, people with dreadlocks yammering on about how they make their own clothes out of hemp.

But it was nothing like that.  You’d think it was like your neighborhood coffee shop… if it didn’t reek of weed.  It was relaxing, people spoke softly, alternative music played in the background, and people read books and played chess.

And it wasn’t just young people.  There was a group of middle aged tourists and even a few businessmen.  We quickly realized that is a part of general life in Amsterdam.  Instead of Happy Hour at T.G.I. Friday’s, workers congregate here after quitting time.  They smoke out and relax.  They don’t get drunk and rowdy.  In fact, getting drunk is looked down upon in Amsterdam — it’s more dangerous and more obnoxious than weed, which is why it’s less tolerated.  Coffee shops usually sell coffee, tea, and some soft drinks, but never alcohol.

The weed menu looked like a food menu; there were tons of options — different flavors, different potency, different effects.  The guy at the counter was very nice and helpful.  If you don’t know what you’re doing, they’ll recommend something for you, so you don’t accidentally end up buying the strongest stuff they sell.

With the new anti-smoking laws you can’t smoke tobacco in a coffee shop, but most places offer some sort of mixed herb thing if you prefer not to smoke a pure joint. Most people bring their own papers and wrap their own joints, but we went the newbie route and bought two joints that were pre-rolled for about €5.  Read about our experience here.

Finally, if you do end up visiting a coffee shop while in Amsterdam, don’t go walking around the city stoned out of your mind.  It’s not polite to Amsterdammers, and of course there’s the risk of pickpockets, getting lost or getting hit by a tram.