Sweet clouds of smoke waft through a gloomy room. A couple of teenagers are sharing a joint and can't stop giggling. The tattooed boss of the bar is having a lively conversation with some somewhat dubious-looking guests. This is roughly what I imagined a coffee shop would be like. I was wrong.
In the Netherlands, contrary to the prevailing opinion, the consumption of cannabis is illegal. Smoking weed is only tolerated and there is also a limit of five grams for personal use. The cultivation of up to 5 cannabis plants is also exempt from punishment. Public smoking on the streets in the old city center is also prohibited, which explains the many coffee shops.
Curiosity drove me to one of these restaurants. The first surprise came with the opening hours: You can get your first high from 7 in the morning. "This is very popular with tourists. They arrive in Amsterdam and pass the time here until their hotel room is ready," explains Nathan, the manager ofEasy Times.
When I talk to him, another cliché is shattered. He looks like a serious businessman to me. No tattoos, clear pronunciation, educated. Nathan currently runs the store with four employees and the atmosphere is very informal. There is a counter in the entrance area where you place your order. Behind it hangs a large "menu" on which, in addition to various types of weed and hash, so-called "edibles" are also listed. In other words, hash cookies.
Hash cookies should not be underestimated
"They're very popular with beginners. The problem with them is that there's a time lag before they take effect" Nathan looks a little unhappy as he says this. "It can sometimes make people feel sick afterwards." Hm, that explains his expression. He seems to have had this experience before.
Incidentally, the sale of cannabis in coffee shops is only permitted subject to a number of conditions. In addition to the ban on selling to minors and the maximum stock quantity of 500 grams per coffee shop, no alcohol may be sold there either. I have to smile a little: there are around 30 types of weed but not a single beer in "Easy Times". The law is the law. Even if I personally had the impression that they weren't so strict about checking another condition: "Access and sale to persons residing outside the Netherlands is prohibited".
Caramello or rather Amnesia Haze?
With a choice between varieties such as "Big Buddha Cheese" or "Caramello", it is difficult to make a choice. It's very helpful that the staff also offer advice - although this is almost superfluous with some varieties. "Amnesia Haze" is a pretty descriptive name. You can choose between one gram or 3.5 grams. By the way, you should remember to bring your own tobacco: They don't have it in stock. If you want a spontaneous high, you can also simply order "pre-rolled": a ready-rolled joint. However, that wasn't an option for me, I prefer to know exactly what and how much I'm consuming.
So my first visit to an Amsterdam coffee shop ended with me ordering a coffee. And with the destruction of a few preconceptions: There were no clouds of smoke (the extraction system worked really well), nor young people passing around a joint. When I visited at 1 p.m., it was business people in suits and ties looking for a bit of relaxation. Maybe I'll visit again the next time I'm in Amsterdam. Even if it's just for an extended one.
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Credits:
www.damste.de/strafrecht-niederlande/drogen-strafrecht-niederlande
https://highsociety.de/blogs/gesetzgebung/canabis-amsterdam
Interview with Nathan in April 2024
Photo credit: Ingrid Müller
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