'Coffee shops' in Amsterdam

[Znoober]

I'm going travelling soon, and I'm going to Amsterdam. Does anyone know the laws on cannabis in Holland, ie. where you can smoke, how much can you carry around with you, what can you be arrested for, etc. Just for curiousity and research purposes, obviously.

[rinkytink]

Couple of sources of info here:

The Dutch law on cannabis is summed up by the word 'gedogen' which means "allowing less..."
Basically, if you are caught in possession of less than 5 grams of either marihuana or hashish you will not be prosecuted.
The drugs, however, will be confiscated.
If you possess more than 5 grams, you stand a "fair chance" of prosecution.
Coffee-shops are licensed to sell cannabis, but they cannot sell to under 18's, cannot advertise, and cannot stock more than 500 grams of soft drugs.
Taken from:

http://www.seethru.co.uk/zine/guides/amsterdam/can
nabis_laws.htm

And:

International law means that the Netherlands cannot make cannabis legal and so this complicates the situation. Cannabis consumption is therefore viewed as decriminilised rather than legalised as technically it is illegal in Holland. Personal possession of a small quantity (under 30g) of cannabis is allowed.

Coffeeshops are allowed to sell small amounts of cannabis and are strictly regulated and taxed. Coffeeshops must not sell to anyone under the age of 18, they must not sell more than 5g to any customer and they must not hold more than 500g on the premises. Also hard drugs are strictly forbidden.
Taken from:

http://www.eatdrinketc.com/amsterdam/source/site_c
ontent_subcontent.asp?content_id=29&channel_id=11

I think that the bottom line is that is is illegal but tollerated in moderation.

[gboyle8]

Don't worry too much about the law in Amsterdam. I have been about 6 times. You can smoke weed inside most places, just ask. You can smoke weed in the streets but it is not leagal. You will not get into trouble if you do. You can carry a ton of weed on you, the cops never stop anyone as the people black guys selling hard drugs are the people they are after. Have fun.

[bekigee]

God I take my hat of to rinky tink at last someone actually knows the laws of the Dam. I have had this arguement about the law there, telling people it is by law illegel and only decriminalised and how many people think they know it all on this matter. I used to live there and they dont really mind if you smoke in cafes as or elsewhere within reason providing you are not making a nuisance of yourself. Like here just be careful, dont be blatent on the street and start waving an ounce about he he!