Amsterdam
Smoking Pot in Amsterdam
Unless you’re a regular user, checking out one of those euphemistically named venues where marijuana is sold is hard to justify from a “when in Rome” rationale. The coffee shop industry caters mostly to travelers, and the Dutch are reported to smoke less pot than most other European populations. That said, if you do decide to indulge in Amsterdam’s infamous weed scene, there are a few things you should know.
The Selection
Most coffee shops offer a robust selection of both weed and hash, sold anywhere from EUR 5 to EUR 20 per gram Don’t hesitate to describe your dream high to the dealer, and he (or, rarely, she) will try to accommodate you.
Handling Your High
Be wary. Dutch-sold marijuana is potent and blows the socks off the most hard-core potheads. If cannabis is not your usual drug of choice, don’t feel you have to play cool: ask questions of the staff and use caution whatever your medium—joint, bong, or brownie. If you do over-indulge, try not to panic. Find a quiet place, take deep breaths, and remember that the discomfort will pass. Sometimes consuming something sweet will help to soften the high.
The Deal on Dealing
Amsterdam is home to an estimated 240 coffee shops, but statistics are looking grim for those who go gaga for ganja. An April 2007 law that prohibits the side-by-side sale of marijuana and alcohol has forced proprietors to dry out their bars to retain coffee shop licenses. What’s more, as of July 1, 2008, Amsterdam, like many other cities, will have become a smoke-free service city and though such a law could potentially turn the whole industry on its head, coffee shops, it seems, will be allowed to keep blowen. Currently, it’s acceptable to sell small amounts of marijuana via the “front door” of a coffee shop where the customer enters. However, the “back door,” through which the product arrives, is linked to the illegal world of the mysterious wholesale supplier. Technically, selling marijuana is a no-no, officially prohibited, but the government has barely bothered to enforce this legislation—the buzzword here is “decriminalized.” Thanks to the Dutch Opium Act of 1976, an important distinction is made between hard drugs and soft drugs—weed being soft.
Staying Legal
The Netherlands currently allows up to 5 grams of marijuana and several other cannabis-laden comestibles (pot brownies, space cakes, ganja cookies) to be dispensed at a licensed venue to anyone over 18. It also condones possession of up to 30 grams by individuals, solely for personal use. While marijuana must be purchased on regulated premises, takeaway to a more discreet spot is another option. Most of the city frowns upon smoking joints in restaurants, bars, and cafés, though nightclubs tend to be kosher (if you’re in doubt, simply ask an employee). The ins and outs of the trade can get as fuzzy as a stoner’s Monday morning. So, what’s the Lowlands’ logic to all this? Cannabis is recognized as a substance that has the potential for psychological addiction, yes, but it is not believed to create an “unacceptable risk” to the body or, for that matter, to society.
Cheers to Dutch Beers
If you think Dutch beer begins and ends with Heineken, think again! The Netherlands has a thriving little industry of microbrews and produces some top-notch stuff. While most of the beer can be roughly broken down into three mouthwatering categories (pils, witte bier, and bokbier), pils (pilsner) is by far the most popular and commonly consumed. A refreshing light golden lager, it is served in smaller glasses and with more foam (two fingers worth) than you’re probably used to. In summer, Amsterdammers find refreshment in witte bier, a white zesty brew served with a twist of lemon. Bokbier, a stronger variety of pils, is made with warming spices. The Dutch also love Belgium brews, so you’ll have no problem finding Trappist beers, Lambics, fruit beers, wheat beers, and dark brown ales.
Canal Ring
The Grachtengordel (Canal Ring) is one of Amsterdam’s prettiest areas to wander through. As you explore, keep in mind that when these impressive canal houses were built for the movers and shakers of the 17th-century Golden Age, home owners were taxed on their houses’ width, not height. Wealth and prestige was measured by the width of the house, the number of windows facing the canal, and the ornate gable work.
The grand, crescent-shape waterways of the Canal Ring, which surround the old center, are made up of Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, and Herengracht (Prince, Emperor, and Gentlemen canals). The intersecting canals and streets were originally built to house and provide work space for artisans and workers, but are now magnets to discerning shoppers, diners, and drinkers. The construction of the Canal Rings, which began at the beginning of the 17th century, proceeded from west to east.
The Eastern end of the Canal Ring is known as the Gouden Bocht (Golden Bend), where elaborate gables, richly decorated facades, colored marbles, and heavy doors create an imposing architecture that suits the bank headquarters of today as well as it did the grandness of yore. Because the properties were so narrow, though, many well-heeled home owners decided to buy two adjoining allotments and build double-wide houses. This area is currently much less residential and largely devoted to banks, businesses, and hotels.
East of the Amstel
A quieter neighborhood, established by wealthier Jewish families from the late 19th century up to the Second World War, this area has wide boulevards, parks, and elegant architecture similar to the neighborhood around the Museum District. This decidedly posh, charming, non-touristy residential area is a great place to wander through. It has a few diverse family attractions and excellent museums.
