Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Each coffeeshop is allowed to keep an inventory of about a pound of pot in stock: The
tax authorities don't want to see more than this on the topics at the end of each account-
ing cycle, and a shop can lose its license if it exceeds this amount. A popular shop—whose
supply must be replenished five or six times a day—simply has to put up with the hassle of
constantly taking small deliveries. A shop can sell a ton of pot with no legal problems, as
long as it maintains that tiny stock and just refills it as needed. The reason? Authorities want
shops to stay small and not become export bases.
In recent years, various Dutch politicians have proposed new laws that would forbid
sales of marijuana to nonresidents. Their big worry is European drug dealers who drive over
the Dutch border, buy up large quantities of pot, and return home to sell it illegally. This law
would be devastating for these Dutch businesses, who depend on out-of-towners to stay in
business. The current mayor of Amsterdam is adamant that the city's coffeeshops will re-
main open—for the sake of the businesses, and because the city believes that the law would
just drive business back into a black market, and cause an increase in street crime.
SmokingTips:
TheDutch(likemostEuropeans)areaccustomedtomixingtobaccowith
marijuana—butanyplacethatcaterstoAmericanswillhavejointswithouttobacco;youjust
have to ask specifically for a “pure” joint. Shops have loaner bongs and inhalers, and dis-
pense rolling papers like toothpicks. As long as you're a paying customer (e.g., you buy a
cupofcoffee),youcanpopintoanycoffeeshopandlightup,evenifyoudidn'tbuyyourpot
there.
Tourists who haven't smoked pot since their college days are famous for overindulging
inAmsterdam.Coffeeshopbaristasnicknametouristsabouttopassout“Whitey”—thecolor
their faces turn just before they hit the floor. They warn Americans (who aren't used to the
strength of the local stuff) to try a lighter leaf. If you do overdo it, the key is to eat or drink
something sweet to avoid getting sick. Cola is a good fast fix, and coffeeshops keep sugar
tablets handy.
Don't ever buy pot on the street in Amsterdam. Well-established coffeeshops are con-
sidered much safer, and coffeeshop owners have an interest in keeping their trade safe and
healthy. They're also generally very patient in explaining the varieties available.
Coffeeshops
Most of downtown Amsterdam's coffeeshops feel grungy and foreboding to American trav-
elerswhoaren'tpartoftheyouth-hostelcrowd.Theneighborhoodplaces(andthoseinsmall
towns around the countryside) are much more inviting to people without piercings, tattoos,
andfavoritetechnoartists.I'velistedafewplaceswithamorepub-likeambience forAmer-
icans wanting to go local, but within reason. For locations, see the maps in the “Sleeping in
Amsterdam” section, earlier.
