Though Amsterdam does have liberal drug laws, visitors should not assume that all drugs in Amsterdam are legal. The majority of them are prohibited just like any other country. Only soft drugs are permitted, and only in certain situations. Here are the details about the Amsterdam drugs situation.
Soft Or Hard Drugs
In Amsterdam, soft drugs are marijuana and hashish (also referred to as weed and hash), and they are tolerated by the authorities providing customers are over the age of 18 and own no more than 30 grams for their own use. People can purchase only 5 grams at a time in specialized "coffee shops".
Coffee shops do usually sell coffee and snacks as well, but should not be confused with a "cafe" which are more like pubs and serve alcohol. Drugs are not sold at cafes, and coffee shops are not allowed to serve alcohol.
As there's a general tobacco smoking ban in place, customers can only smoke a joint at the coffee shop if they have designated smoking rooms. Otherwise, they have to use bongs or vaporizers, or step outside.
Because of many years of gradual improvement in the plant strains, marijuana in Amsterdam will have much higher levels of THC than what a visitor might be used. Each year, a number of tourists gets into trouble this way.
Street Drugs
Soft drugs can be purchased at legal coffee shops, and no drugs should ever be purchased anywhere else. Popular areas like the Red Light District will often have drug pushers in the alleys trying to sell harder drugs like cocaine or ecstasy. They are most likely selling you something else (even common vitamin C tablets), so they are best avoided.
This also goes for any drugs sold at clubs or parties. Again, many times you are sold something other than what you wanted to buy. Coffee shops are licensed, and are the safe place to purchase drugs in Amsterdam.
Using in Public
Overall, the general public are quite tolerant, but people who smoke cannabis aren't tolerated everywhere. As mentioned, most places prohibit smoking (both weed and tobacco) in indoor public places. Outdoor smoking is generally fine unless there are small children or elderly people in the immediate area.
Being out in public while under the influence of marijuana (stoned) is tolerated as long as drug users don't cause trouble. They can even ride a bike, provided they can ride straight and don't cause dangerous situations, but public transit or taxis are even better.
Mushrooms
Though in the past, psilocybin mushrooms (popularly known as magic mushrooms, or shrooms) were allowed in Amsterdam. Head shops used to sell them, but after some tourist died after using them, they have been added to the list of banned drugs. Only marijuana or hashish can be purchased legally.
Cocaine, Ecstasy, Heroin
All hard drugs are completely illegal and banned in Amsterdam. Though that doesn't mean they are not available, just like in any other major city. Drugs sold on the streets are unregulated and are not safe. Materials of all kinds can be passed off as "drugs", especially if a dealer can tell you are a tourist.
Why the Divided Drug Policy?
People have the misconception that the Dutch are all party animals because soft drugs are legally available. This is really not the case. In fact, they are simply taking a practical approach. Since drugs can't be completely eradicated, they prefer to have government regulation in order to keep things safe for everyone. It also separates the more dangerous drugs in terms of prosecution and legal enforcement.
Even though soft drugs are legal, the overall drug use in the Netherlands is much lower than what you would find in the United States, the United Kingdom or Canada.
Soft Or Hard Drugs
In Amsterdam, soft drugs are marijuana and hashish (also referred to as weed and hash), and they are tolerated by the authorities providing customers are over the age of 18 and own no more than 30 grams for their own use. People can purchase only 5 grams at a time in specialized "coffee shops".
Coffee shops do usually sell coffee and snacks as well, but should not be confused with a "cafe" which are more like pubs and serve alcohol. Drugs are not sold at cafes, and coffee shops are not allowed to serve alcohol.
As there's a general tobacco smoking ban in place, customers can only smoke a joint at the coffee shop if they have designated smoking rooms. Otherwise, they have to use bongs or vaporizers, or step outside.
Because of many years of gradual improvement in the plant strains, marijuana in Amsterdam will have much higher levels of THC than what a visitor might be used. Each year, a number of tourists gets into trouble this way.
Street Drugs
Soft drugs can be purchased at legal coffee shops, and no drugs should ever be purchased anywhere else. Popular areas like the Red Light District will often have drug pushers in the alleys trying to sell harder drugs like cocaine or ecstasy. They are most likely selling you something else (even common vitamin C tablets), so they are best avoided.
This also goes for any drugs sold at clubs or parties. Again, many times you are sold something other than what you wanted to buy. Coffee shops are licensed, and are the safe place to purchase drugs in Amsterdam.
Using in Public
Overall, the general public are quite tolerant, but people who smoke cannabis aren't tolerated everywhere. As mentioned, most places prohibit smoking (both weed and tobacco) in indoor public places. Outdoor smoking is generally fine unless there are small children or elderly people in the immediate area.
Being out in public while under the influence of marijuana (stoned) is tolerated as long as drug users don't cause trouble. They can even ride a bike, provided they can ride straight and don't cause dangerous situations, but public transit or taxis are even better.
Mushrooms
Though in the past, psilocybin mushrooms (popularly known as magic mushrooms, or shrooms) were allowed in Amsterdam. Head shops used to sell them, but after some tourist died after using them, they have been added to the list of banned drugs. Only marijuana or hashish can be purchased legally.
Cocaine, Ecstasy, Heroin
All hard drugs are completely illegal and banned in Amsterdam. Though that doesn't mean they are not available, just like in any other major city. Drugs sold on the streets are unregulated and are not safe. Materials of all kinds can be passed off as "drugs", especially if a dealer can tell you are a tourist.
Why the Divided Drug Policy?
People have the misconception that the Dutch are all party animals because soft drugs are legally available. This is really not the case. In fact, they are simply taking a practical approach. Since drugs can't be completely eradicated, they prefer to have government regulation in order to keep things safe for everyone. It also separates the more dangerous drugs in terms of prosecution and legal enforcement.
Even though soft drugs are legal, the overall drug use in the Netherlands is much lower than what you would find in the United States, the United Kingdom or Canada.