Marijuana in Europe : 2008
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?
Editor's note: This board is monitored closely for inappropriate postings. If you would like to post a message, please read the topic introduction and our Spraypainters' Guidelines carefully. Solicitations to buy or sell marijuana, and postings concerning trafficking marijuana across borders, will be deleted. This board is for tips only.
make that www.channels.nl/
rob
nj USA Thu 12/04/2008
anyone interested in another forum on all things marijuana/amsterdam check out www.channels/nl.com just click on the Amsterdam forum and enjoy. Very informative.
Rob
NJ USA Wed 12/03/2008
Swtzerland and Marijuana
Hey guys, i jus wanna talk a little bit about Switzerland. In Swi^tzerland Marijuana is illegal, however, it is tolerated by the authorities quite a bit. A person can smoke a joint in the streets, and cops will pass and they normally dont say anything, as long as you dont make it too obvious. I was once sitting in a park, smoking out of a bong with my friend, and a cop car passed, looked at us, ^they smiled and left. I just know that it is possible to get almost anywhere in switzerland, and people dont have anything against it. This sunday, on the 30th of novemeber, there is actually a vote to make it legal, and if it goes through, we will actually be the first country where it is legal, in the whole world, since it is only tolerated in the netherlands, not 100%legal. It will be available in pharmacies, and headshops, if you are over the age of 18(and a resident of switzerland). So i am very exited. So, come to switzerland, it is very chill here.
Clemens <email>
Bern, Bern Swtzerland Thu 11/27/2008
Ferry Crossing
Hello there I was just wondering if the security levels are as high as they are crossing borders via plane as they would be via ferry. Just I was planning a trip to Amsterdam (my first official trip yay!) and was curious on whether or not I would be able to bring a small amount through undetected. I know the security levels at an airport are extremely high but after visiting Amsterdam a few times before (as a minor) there wasn't any sniffer dogs or anything like that. If anyone could be helpful enough to provide a little bit on information it would be appreciated and whilst on the topic what Coffeeshop do you recommend? Thanks
Peter Simones
UK Tue 11/11/2008
Legalized or Not?
I currently live in the Czech Republic, and most of the websites around I have searched have lots of personal opinions, hearsay, and hype. Sadly bigger publications such as Norml, and High Times are not as well informed as I thought. I would like to see links to government pages, or publications from big news papers to see the laws passed or what-have-you. Can anyone provide proof or documentation?
Robert <email>
Prague, CZ Wed 11/05/2008
Christiania in Copenhagen
As the child of a woman born in Copenhagen Denmark, I have travelled to Denmark over 40 times in my life. Back in th 80's and 90's my friends in DK would take me to pusher street in Christiania to buy and smoke some really good Hash or Homegrown Bud. Well times have changed in 2004 pusher street was torn down.
This summer August 2008, I went to Christiania and was easily able to buy Hash. But I was warned that the police are everywhere and will arrest tourists who buy or smoke in public. Funny thing is that you can smoke in the bars in Christiania and share with the locals. I gave the bar tendress a small ball of hash and she fed me beers all night without charging me. If you go, I urge you to go during day time as this area is not really safe at night. Peace
Dee Shawn
White Boy City, Oregon USA Sun 11/02/2008
Big Al,
No big changes due to alcohol restrictions. I was unaware of the coffeeshop alcohol ban during my last A'dam trip. As a person who enjoyed sipping a beer at a coffeeshop, I have to say, the ban was a huge plus. The booze free mood was much more mellow and it also meant a lower likelihood of running into stag parties from the UK and the 'fun' they bring with them. Also keep in mind that only a small handful of coffeeshops had alcohol licenses (e.g., Dampkring, Greenhouse), so it really wasn't that big of a change.
The big issue that does scare me is the tobacco ban. While I generally agree with it in principle, it could mean very bad things for the coffeeshop industry and the brown cafe culture as well. That would be a big bummer.
B
Portland, or USA Mon 10/13/2008
Amsterdam Update
I'm always surprised that so few people post on this informative bulletin board. I was hoping for some comments from recent visitors to Amsterdam on the effects of the new restrictions on tobacco and alcohol in the coffeeshops.
Big Al
Chicago, Il. USA Sun 10/12/2008
Marijuana sniffing dogs
I do not use marijuana but I would not recommend trying to carry it on you or in your luggage because the US uses dogs to sniff it out and European countries have different attitudes and also some of them use dogs. It appears to be okay in Amsterdam proper but it would be unwise to travel with any on you or in your luggage.
Rodney
Seattle, WA USA Sun 09/28/2008
Germany, Austria, Switzerland
Having just spent a year on the German/Swiss/Austrian border I can give you an idea of how it is. This is aimed primarily at Steve. In Germany, in most of the states you are allowed to have a personal amount of grass on you. Bayern (Bavaria) is the most conservative and strict with their laws. I'm not sure what the legal amount is there, but in neighboring Baden-Wuerttemberg you are allowed up to 5g for personal use. In Berlin you're allowed much more, I think up to 15g. Bigger cities are easier.
Switzerland is quite lax. It's not like it was in the late 90's/early 2000's where you could go to shops and buy using a system similar to that in Amsterdam, but there is a vote coming up and legalization is a very definite possibility. I got gifted a roach at the main train station in Zurich. Easier to find than in Germany.
Austria is similar to Switzerland, but unfortunately I did not have the opportunity to sample the local product.
Aaron
Portland, OR USA Tue 09/23/2008
marijuana
Hello Rick,
Thank you on the video on Marijuana and your trip to Iran, very wise words. I am Dutch and now live in America. My friends and I sometimes smoked a joint and we were educated very well before we even tried our first one. Doctors in the Netherlands give prescriptions of marijuana to people who have rheumatic problems or people who have a lot of pain. A friend with back problems made tea out of it. Having worked in a hotel in Amsterdam raised problems with tourists taking drugs. The ones that eat space cake (Marijuana in a cake) for example. They eat it and feel nothing and eat more. It takes some time before it will come in your blood stream. People wanted to have an ambulance but they don't want to come. Doctor's can't do a thing than give a person sugar water to get it quicker out of your system. The most important thing is what will you do send a person away in an ambulance and take that away from a person who is having a heart attack?
If people would be more educated about Marijuana they would understand that it is simply drinking a good glass of wine.
I would not take it over the border, while you are in the Netherlands enjoy.
yellie rothberg <email>
keene, N.H. USA Sun 09/07/2008
Response to Steve
Steve,
You can expect Switzerland to be very open and tolerant to marijuana. My first trip there was in '99, and it was pretty open then. It has only gotten better. Not being under the watchful eye of Germany or France...errr, I mean the European Commission will help Switzerland maintain this stance.
I can't speak to Austria or Germany, though I'd guess it may be less open there, but someone else could prove me wrong on that.
Blake
Portland, OR USA Sun 08/03/2008
MJ law in the US, Europe, etc.
Having not made it to Amsterdam, YET, I can only voice my strong approval. How many people know that laws against MJ are among the very few (I can't name any others) which carry severe penalties for a "crime" which does not require that any harm be done to ANYBODY? Absurd! And worse, INSANE! The ONLY harm done, related to these laws, is done by the authorities! The US, which "prides itself" on its freedom (quotes because freedom in the US has little to do with pride, and is severely limited) is actually one of the less free countries in the world, in many ways, the drug laws being among the most draconian. Won't we all breath so much more easily when the US finally begins to emulate real freedom, as its practiced in Europe? Thanks Steve, for this rather rare opportunity to speak freely. Travel seems to have given you something much too rare: an open mind.
Rick Savary <email>
Pasadena, CA USA Fri 08/01/2008
Bavaria
I was under the impression that Amsterdam was the only place where a tolerant and sensible view of marijuana existed. I have traveled though out Germany and will be in Bavaia, Switzerland and Austria this fall. What can I expect if anything
steve <email>
Big Eagle, KY USA Thu 07/24/2008
RE: turkey
A good movie to watch on the subject is Midnight Express. Things may have changed in the 35 years since the storyline occured, but is it really worth it.
Jason
Reno, NV USA Sat 07/05/2008
Thank you Amsterdam!
My husband and I spent last Thanksgiven in Amsterdam for the 20th Annual High Times Cannabis Cup. Initinally, I was apprehensive about going into a public place to buy marijuana and then smoking it there. That feeling was short lived. We both were amazed and very pleased with the people of Amsterdam and their tolerance of something that is supposed to be so very evil. At that time, smoking was still allowed in your room or apartment, however, as of July 1st, 2008, smoking is now banned in rooms.
As far as whether or not it is safe to smoke there, absolutely YES and very comfortable. What I was told by one of my many new friends, Arjan, of the "Greenhouse" fame is to just have some common respect. Not near children, or older citizens, and find yourself some secluded outside place, if you must smoke while outside. We did smoke one night outside while walking around the city and was given a very dirty look by a local who came upon us, but that was it. So we just used better judgment from then on.
We are returning again this year for the cup and to spend Thanksgiven the way we like, no turkey and stuffing for us. We "highly" recommend visiting the Netherlands, not just for the great smoke, but also for the culture, beauty and knowledge of these tolerant, friendly people and their beautiful country. Thank you again Netherlands and see you in November 2008.
Tinker
Conservative, VA USA Wed 07/02/2008
Amsterdam Tattoos
I went to the 2006 Amsterdam tattoo convention at the RAI and almost all the tattoo artists were smoking pot while giving tattoos to people. I thought it was hilarious to watch and take pictures.
Alex <email>
Hampton Roads, VA USA Tue 06/10/2008
Marijuana in Switzerland
I've smoked in Switzerland & Germany. Both countries seemed very tolerant and it was easy to come by in Switzerland. If you are inside, you may be asked to go smoke in the street.
I haven't made it to the Netherlands yet.
Michael
S Florida, FL USA Wed 04/30/2008
Get the Facts
The EU cannot legalize marijuana without upsetting foreign relations. Watch the movie GRASS. It sheds some light on the issue. Personally, I heard that the US signed a pact with the EU not to legalize marijuana and if they did it would upset foreign relations among the countries.
Lucky
Orlando, FL USA Thu 04/03/2008
Pot in Europe
I think that Europe should legalize pot, and the rest of the world too. There is no way to stop marijuana and it makes no sense to have tobacco legal and have marijuana illegal when tobacco kills over 435,000 people a year, who ever heard of a person smoking a joint through their neck.
Noah
Selah, WA USA Mon 03/17/2008
Marijuana in Europe
Interesting discussion. While I have personally never tried marijuana in Europe, my best friend is Dutch and has taken me all over the continent. What I can tell you is that, yes, the borders in the EU are 'open' however, border police (particularly in France) are watchful for cars with foreign license plates, packed with young adults (particularly) leaving Belgium and entering France and have stopped them at the border for suspicious drug activity. I would not recommend crossing the borders in the EU with marijuana, or any other drug for that matter.
Additionally, drug use in the NL is illegal, but in small quantities cannibas use is tolerated by Dutch authorities. Just FYI
Claudia
Philadelphia, PA USA Mon 02/18/2008
Weed in Switzerland
I see that there are several postings on this topic in the archives, however nothing recent. Is the country still tolerant? Is it readily available? Any recent experiences? Cheers!
Fred <email>
San Fransisco, CA USA Wed 02/06/2008
Train to Belgium
Is it safe to carry from the Netherlands into Belgium? There was a mention of an open border below.
Tom
Chicago, IL USA Fri 02/01/2008
UK attutide to cannabis
hi all, just happened on this and thought I'd give my (UK) perspective. Many of you might not know that the UK has now re-classified cannabis to a Class B drug and possesion of a small amount (less than an eight - 3.7gram) is unlikely to result in anything more than a ticking off and confiscating it. You can get a maximum of a written warning for such a small amount clearly for personal use.
I just came back from the Dam last week and couldn't believe how lax security was coming into East Midlands airport where it was two minutes from the plane to being through the other side of the terminal. I can't remember even having to show my passport (although I was still stoned from the lovely Orange Bud I'd been smoking a couple of hours before!)
Still wouldn't recommend taking on the plane though, too risky for the benefit. Whenever I've been to the Dam previously, I just post a few bags back in seperate letters with just a few grams in each (at different letterboxes). I send it to the name of someone who used to live at my house and there's no nicer feeling than the postman delivering your weed a day or two after getting home!! :) very small packets tend to make it through most countries postal systems. Amsterdam own postal system is most likely to detect them, so maybe only 1-2 of the 3 bags would arrive.
I'm not suggesting to anyone to do any of the aforementioned, I'm purely recollecting my own experiences!
Jon
London, UK Tue 01/29/2008
Cannabis College
The Cannabis College is a wonderful place to visit. The staff is knowledgeable, helpful and very enthusiastic. If you make a donation to visit the garden downstairs (impressive and worth it) you receive a discount coupon for the Flying Dutchman headshop across the street. Be sure to dispose of your used paraphernalia appropriately before you leave the Netherlands!
Bobby
Cleveland, Ohio USA Wed 01/16/2008
Border crossing
My wife and I spent a weekend in Amsterdam this summer during our month-long trip through Europe. We thought the rather large selection at most coffee shops (Damkring was our favorite!) was kind of a gimmick, until we visited the cannibis college in the Red Light district. Suprisingly we learned a LOT about the difference between the strains, and how they affect you differently.
They do search trains with dogs at the border, and they can detect even the smallest amount.
Bizill
Portland, OR USA Fri 01/11/2008
amsterdam layover
How long of a layover in Amsterdam would you need to make a short trip from the airport to one of the coffee houses"
editors note: ALL questions must be posted to Travelers Helpline
Bill M
St. Paul, MN USA Sun 01/06/2008
Amsterdam Layover
It's about a 20-25 minute train ride from the airport to Centraal Station, and a 5-10 minute walk from there to the nearest coffeeshops. You might find the return trip will take somewhat longer. Security lines at Schiphol can be very slow. I would expect you'd need a layover of 4 hours just to be safe.
Big Al
Chicago, Il. USA Sun 01/06/2008