Cannabis & Drug Policy
The Dutch drug policy is unique worldwide — and often misunderstood. Cannabis is NOT legal in the Netherlands. It is tolerated (gedoogd) — a typical Dutch compromise.
The Rules
- Coffeeshops may sell a maximum of 5 grams of cannabis per person per day. Maximum 500 grams stock in the shop.
- Minimum age: 18 years, ID check
- Consumption: Only in the coffeeshop or privately. Public smoking is prohibited by ordinance in many city centers (Amsterdam, Rotterdam) — fine: 100 €.
- Cultivation: Technically illegal, but possession of up to 5 plants is "not prosecuted" — the Dutch gray area in perfection.
- Hard drugs: Heroin, cocaine, MDMA, etc., are ILLEGAL. The Netherlands pursues a pragmatic approach (harm reduction), but possession and trade are punished.
The number of coffeeshops has been declining for years (Amsterdam: from over 350 in the 1990s to under 170 today). There are efforts to regulate the supply chain (wietexperiment) — cultivation for coffeeshops is to be legalized to combat the black market.
Achtung
Note: In border municipalities (e.g., Maastricht), access to coffeeshops is partially restricted for foreigners (Wietpas). This restriction does NOT apply in Amsterdam. However, truffles (psilocybin) are legally available in smartshops — the effect is strong and not suitable for everyone. Caution!
