Marijuana in Europe: 2004
Ethnocentric Americans believe that because something is illegal in the US, it's wrong everywhere. However, many Europeans believe that marijuana is a recreational drug to be enjoyed by adults - much like alcohol. Those interested in "going local" with respect to marijuana during their European travels have few ways to compare notes. Let this be a forum for discussion. Was it safe to smoke? Did you feel comfortable? Did it add to your travel experience? Any pitfalls to avoid?
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Nederland
I found the best coffeeshop in Amsterdam. It is run by two brothers. It is called Basjoe's. It is way chill in there. The two guys who run it are absolutely hilarious. It is located near the University of Amsterdam on Klovinersburgwal(i hope i have the street name right). I was in Den Haag and Rotterdam also. Some of Den Haag is very seedy near Centraal Station. Rotterdam is very seedy near Erasmus Hospital. There is very low-priced, high-quality marijuana in this city though. My point is, if you have more than three days, venture outside of Amsterdam...you will not regret it.
Eric Dijkstra
Holland, MI USA Thu 12/16/2004
Amsterdam Coffeeshop Advice from an experienced weed-ologist! :)
I spent 7.5 days and 8 nights in Amsterdam. I really got to know some great locals and some great cannabis. I'm going to give you some straight-shooting advice, from a 24-year-old who spent a month backpacking in Europe and only smoked pot in Amsterdam itself.
In Amsterdam, I highly recommend a first smoke at De Dampkring Coffeeshop. It is well-regarded by locals, comfortably crowded, and they sell pre-rolled joints, which is excellent for those like me who do not know how to roll a joint! The marijuana menu includes detailed descriptions of the weed you are buying, which is also good for first-timers. Their space cakes--you know, baked goods with marijuana in them, are super-fancy, pre-packaged, lovely-looking frosted chocolate cakes that taste great! They come with a beautiful label and a rather humorous list of rules, like don't drink alcohol and eat the spacecake, don't do any other cannabis products within such-and-such number of hours. It should be noted that my sister broke, literally, EVERY single rule listed without any ill effects at all...but if you have no drug experience, it might be advisable to follow the rules! :)
The Dolphin Coffeeshop, which is recommended in several guidebooks, did NOT sell weed while we were there in early September, 2004. They had recently been caught with more of a supply than is allowed and thus, could not sell any more. They DO have water bongs there and you ARE allowed to bring in weed that you have purchased elsewhere and smoke it in the shop. You just cannot actually PURCHASE any weed there. They have friendly staff, comfortable surroundings. Relatively small place.
The Bulldog in the Vondelpark area should NOT be patronized. I found it comparatively expensive with low-grade marijuana, and it is super touristy. They are honest there and won't rip you off, but I really recommend venturing beyond The Bulldog, since there are so many other coffeeshops that are MUCH nicer with much better weed. Additionally, the bar tender was the only out-and-out RUDE person we encountered in Amsterdam. She acted as though it was a burden to get me a juice. Not acceptable! It did not make for a pleasant experience in the least.
The Grey Area Coffeeshop was filled with stoner ex-pats. The weed they sold was well-priced, they deal with the American ounce system (as well as the European gram system), and the staff is American. This coffeeshop is VERY small. We basically bought weed and left. It was crowded, but they had a great quality selection with a VERY descriptive menu, and good prices.
Barney's...we ate very EXPENSIVE, VERY good American breakfast there while smoking weed we had purchased elsewhere. Very chill atmosphere, though not overly-friendly staff. Did not actually purchase weed here, but had several nice smokes and the breakfast really is excellent.
Amnesia Coffeeshop is lovely. Just a bit off the beaten track, but very recommendable. Friendly staff, very homey, very lovely surroundings. Quite up-scale. We noticed the clientelle was generally an older crowd (30's, 40's, and 50's). They sell excellent quality totally organic weed (as well as non-organic weed), which I highly recommend. Chemicals are an unnecessary additive and smoking organic makes for cleaner lungs! :) This is the place to go if you want a very chill, relaxed atmosphere while you smoke. It is often pretty empty, since it's just a bit off the beaten path, but that can be okay if you want a quiet smoke.
Oh, and while in Amsterdam, I smoked joints rolled by friends, and from a pipe that I purchased in Amsterdam. While high or stoned, I highly recommend AVOIDING restaurants and shopping, I spent WAY too much money doing these things while high. While High or stoned, I do recommend fun things like taking a lovely walk through Vondelpark during the day, sitting around the lake in Vondelpark, seeing a movie, or attending live music concerts. It's also really fun to enjoy enjoying the coffeeshop atmosphere and get to know other travelers and locals in the coffeeshops! Amsterdam is really my dream city!
Claire
KS USA Sun 11/28/2004
Amsterdam
Two of my friends and I traveled through Europe for a month and a half. We were fortunate enough to spend a week in Amsterdam. It was an eye opening experience, we are pot smokers here in the states. We could not wait to try out the large variety of marijuana we heard so much about.
The first thing we did was find our way to a cafe and legaly baught some marijuana. I was amazed with all the different kinds of marijuana available and how cheap it was. Here in the states I pay $20 for a gram and $60 for an eighth. We were buying eighths for $20 and grams for $5, rolling huge joints and passing them all around the cafes we were in. Purple Haze, Jamaican Gold, New York Diesel, White Rhino (cannabis cup winner), White Widow, Crystal Lady, Bubble Gum, I know there was more but I can not remember because of the condition I was in over there.
The way I understood it, whatever is naturally grown is legal, and whatever is chemically made is illegal. In Amsterdam you are only allowed to smoke marijuana when in a cafe that allows it. I was smoking a joint outside on the street and a police officer approached me and asked me what I was smokling I told him marijuana, he took the joint smelled it and told me go and finish it in one of the cafes. I was scared because I thought he was going to give a ticket or take me to jail. To my surprise he let me walk away not making sure I walked into a cafe.
For my friends and I, Amsterdam is a place to relax and enjoy something you are not able to enjoy at home. I highly recommend Amsterdam for anyone traveling through Europe, even if you are not a pot smoker. Happy and travels everyone
Rey Maese
Alhambra, Ca USA Tue 11/09/2004
Vaporized in Amsterdam
We used a vaporizor in Amsterdam that took us to a new level. I don't recommend it for the novice. After still feeling the effects several hours later I decided that I needed to get back to a place that I could manage. It worked and I was fine. You know you've had too much when you have to go back to the hotel for a couple of hours.
Lucky
Orlando, FL USA Mon 11/01/2004
Christiania- just be cool.
Christiania-- just be cool about it. I've been there twice in the past year and am not worried about the cops when I go there for my third trip in the next month or so. I was there before the stalls came down and afterwards. There are plenty of police walking around (no longer in riot-gear). They still arrest people. But when you are there, be discreet and don't smoke anywhere in the area (unlike some beligerent people I saw). There was a huge increase in tourists wanting to see a real-live commune. There was even a school field-trip. Very odd. You'll find it.
I also reccomend visiting the Hans Christen Anderson museum after you visit Christiania. It's a mellow-museum with few tourists and it's a nice experience to enjoy with the effects of green bud....
Frank Zappa
Baltics Wed 10/06/2004
Christiana
My husband and I were in Christiana in late May, early June. Although it was interesting, it was also a bit scary. There were rastfarian/metal bands (I know, it's hard to explain), they started playing songs with the lyrics "What are we going to do about the f*#@ing American's". We took this as our cue to leave. I don't really recommend it. When we were there about 6 police showed up looking for people to harass. The dealers that were there were seedy and I was very nervous. Not a good idea...
WorldTraveler
USA Sun 10/03/2004
Great Coffeeshop
I agree with visting Kandisky when in Amsterdam. I am 48 and hadn't smoked for years. The place is itself is very unassuming and not at all lurid. The woman who served me gave me good advice on how much spacecake I should have and packed up the rest. It's located in a great area with a lot of shopping and food. You can walk over to the Mroz felafel shop (which has a large condiments bar with which to dress your felafel) which is near Kalverstraat. Also walk up Kalverstraat to Australian Homemade chocolates, which sell ice cream they make on the premises. I felt totally safe the whole time I visited Amsterdam and would love to go back again,
Viviane
New York, NY USA Mon 09/06/2004
Great coffeeshop and a little good advice
Coffeeshop shopping? Try Kadinsky just off the Spui @ Rosmarijnsteeg 9. A very relaxed and clean atmosphere with a wide selection and accurate descriptions of how each choice may effect you. There is nothing wrong with enjoying yourself in a town where smoking is perfectly legal. I can think of many other more destructive things you can do in this world than sit at a bar, have a cool drink and a little smoke to make your trip more enjoyable. As you should in any foreign country, be respectful, be polite and understand that the way we may do something in America may not be the same way it is done in the country you are visiting. Believe it or not, America isn't right all the time.
Finally, if you do sample the finer aspects of A'dam, please remember you represent the US and obnoxious, rude behavior leaves a lasting impression with the locals. The last thing we need on the world stage is another poor opinion of Americans by our friends in Europe.
Level Headed American
Denver, CO USA Tue 08/24/2004
We enjoy the Bluebird Coffeeshop on St Antioniesbreestraat. WE have found that most shops have a day time atmosphere and a night time atmosphere. The day time is a better time for a relaxed visit, before the younger set get out of work.
BJ
Bloomsburg, PA USA Sat 07/24/2004
The Greenhouse, Trance Buddha
A friend who was a local took us to the Greenhouse, which was a friendly place. We also went to a dance club (Trance Buddha) that allowed smoking and had a nice lounge on the ground floor. Most places that do not allow smoking will have signs, but you can assume that hotels and restaurants normally do not allow it.
Lee
Seattle, WA USA Sun 07/18/2004
Hotels
As a respectful American tourist, if I'm staying at a hotel that prohibits pot smoking, I don't smoke pot in the hotel. While it's not kosher to smoke it in the street, if you can find a park, you're not likely to draw much attention. (Vondelpark is excellent.) Some bars and nightclubs allow canabis consumption. (Always ask first)If allowed, you're expected to purchase something, like a drink or snack.
Fearless Fred
USA Fri 07/16/2004
First time in Amsterdam
I've been using BlueBird a coffee shop at St.Antonbriestraat 71 for more years than I care to remember.
St Antonbriestraat runs off the Nuemarkt area so it's not far from the main tourist walks. It's a very friendly laid back place where quite a few 'old timers' can be found along with the younger element. It always has a very good and very extensive range of both grass and hash and the prices are competative with or better than most coffee shops. In every sense there is a really nice atmosphere at Bluebird.
Al Bishop
Nottingham, UK Wed 07/14/2004
Favorites
My favorite coffeeshops are DeDampkring, Abraxas, DeRojik, anf Dutch Flowers. All are great. Some even serve alcohol, which I love. Get the addresses off the web and you are sure to have a great time in these places.
Rob
nj USA Tue 07/13/2004
Marijuana should be legal
I visited the Netherlands last summer and I was thouroghly impressed with how level-headed the Dutch are. Instead of putting people in prison and wasting tax payers money for smoking marijuana, the Dutch instead, choose to make a soft drug, that is as "bad" as alcohol legal. This eliminates murder because of a bad drug deal, it keeps smokers out of prison and it provides a safe place to purchase marijuana if one chooses. My family in the Netherlands did not necessarily approve of smoking marijuana, but they did tolerate it. The Dutch are so far ahead of us, when it comes to logical thinking.
Rachel
Riverside, CA USA Wed 06/02/2004
Marijuana in The Netherlands
I just returned from Amsterdam and had a great time. There are coffeeshops everywhere, as well as great cafes and boutiques. I have traveled all over Europe and this is by far my favorite(and my mothers)place to visit. And I am sure the fact that marijuana is legal is a big part of it. But it's not just that Amsterdam is a beautiful city and open minded in many ways besides just marijuana use. It would be a shame to see the coffeeshops go away. Marijuana should stay legal in Netherlands; I hope that they do not let pressure from other governments and the right wing to influence change. And was just there on April 29 and the weather was beautiful.
James
Sacramento, CA USA Wed 05/12/2004
marijuana in Europe
I have been to the Netherlands twice and both times have stopped into a coffeeshop or two! Last year my daughter (19) tried a space cake and it was hilarious!! (space cake is a pot muffin) She was not interested in smoking but wanted to try something. In one coffeeshop, you could order milkshakes-regular or "special"
A misconception that i have found with a lot of people is that everyone is walking around smoking a joint but that is not true. It is actually considered rude to do so. Although I did see a young man on the train pull out a small bag of weed and make a 1/2 cig-1/2 pot cigarette. Very casually.
It would be a shame to see the laws change regarding marijuana in the Netherlands, I agree that it is just like alcohol, to be enjoyed responibly in fact, I think it is better than alcohol! You don't get violent or mean or feel like driving a car after a joint!
Plus my daughter, her boyfriend and I would like to visit next year and he would like to experience a coffeeshop!!
Christie
Sacramento, CA USA Thu 04/29/2004
Carefully Consume...
If you are (like me) new to "substances," be cautious in your consumption. Years ago in magical Amsterdam, my girlfriend and I tracked down the "best hashish cake" in the city as told to us by the staff at the Milkenweg. The place, near the train station, sold slices of pink bundt cake loaded with bits of hash. We bought two pieces and went back to our hotel.
Unfortunately, my girlfriend fell asleep on me when we were to enjoy the cake. I downed my slice solo. Half an hour went by...nothing. So, I decided to eat her piece as well. Just as I was finishing the 2nd piece, the room began to seriously pulsate. Big mistake, I belatedly realized.
The next morning, rather than feeling the buzz that I had anticipated, my every cell was crying for mercy. No sympathy from my companion, either.
So, again, for those of us with little experience, I suggest you ask questions as to potency and consume with due caution. It's a great opportunity for a new experience, if you're smart about it.
TJ
SF, CA USA Thu 04/22/2004
Smoking in Amsterdam
I LOVE AMSTERDAM!!! It literally knocked me to my feet! My husband had visited before we were married and he just said you won't understand until you go. So we did-the first place we went was to a coffeeshop-ordered Marijuana and hash off the menu. I was floored. I kept expecting the cops to bust in-then I realized where I was! We saw this amazing city-every bit we could squeeze in. SOme indulge too much and can't get away from the weed.
TIPS: Just buy enough to last a day or too, leave the Coffeeshop (this is very important or you will get stuck), experience the city-walk everywhere and then go buy more when you need it-it's much cheaper than in the U.S. Being able to walk into a coffeeshop and order pot and hash off the menu just enhanced my Adam experience. Honestly, it was much more civilized than purchasing weed back home. I won't preach to anyone here, but I had a moment of clarity in Amsterdam-the world would be a lot more peaceful if Marijuana wasn't criminalized. Totally enhanced the experience.
Stephanie
Austin, TX USA Mon 03/29/2004
Good Experiences in Amsterdam
It makes me happy that I just accidentally stumbled upon this message board,
because I love having the opportunity to say: being a world traveler from
the US, my trip to Amsterdam was the best!! I am a strong believer in the
legalization of marijuana for many medical and ethical reasons, and my experience
in Amsterdam only increased this belief. It was very pleasant and I definitely
plan on returning.
Kristyn
Detroit, MI USA Sun 01/18/2004