What this solves
Most English-language guides flatten Dutch drug policy into "weed is legal." That is wrong and dangerous — for you. Cannabis is tolerated under strict conditions, truffles are legal, alcohol is regulated but restricted in public, and hard drugs are zero-tolerance. Mixing those categories gets visitors arrested.
- Tier 1 — Coffeeshop: ≤5g cannabis per person per visit, no alcohol on premises, valid ID required. Max 2 visits per person per day across all coffeeshops combined.
- Tier 2 — Smartshop: truffles (psilocybin, sold legally because they're not mushrooms), salvia, kratom. Sold to adults with no ID limits.
- Tier 3 — Alcohol: legal to buy from age 18 (16 for beer/wine until 2024 changes), open container ban in most public spaces, no public intoxication law but police can fine for disturbance.
- Tier 4 — Hard drugs: zero tolerance. Cocaine, MDMA, amphetamines, heroin — all criminal possession. Even tiny amounts lead to arrest.
Tier router
How to read results
The tier output is the legal category — it tells you what the law says, not what to do. The legal limit is the upper bound, not a target. The risk line is city-specific: a tier-1 purchase in Maastricht is harder than one in Rotterdam.
The warning box lists the most common mistake for your exact combination. If you read nothing else on this page, read that box.
Limitations
- The "2 visits per day" rule is enforced informally. Coffeeshops track repeat customers; some ID-scan you. Going to three coffeeshops in a day is not a criminal offence, but it is a tell.
- Maastricht wietpas policy. The Dutch ID-card requirement for non-residents has been in legal limbo since 2012. As of 2026, some inner-city shops still enforce it; others don't. Verify before travel.
- "Tolerated" is not "legal." Possession of 5g cannabis is a tolerance threshold, not a right. Police can still confiscate. You have no legal recourse if a coffeeshop is raided.
- Export is illegal. Even from a coffeeshop. Cannabis stays in NL. Airport sniffer dogs are routine.
FAQ
Is weed actually legal in Amsterdam?
Tolerated, not legal. The Dutch Opium Act lists cannabis as a soft drug with a tolerance threshold for possession (under 5g), sale (coffeeshops only), and use (no public smoking of more than personal amount). Buying and possessing small amounts is not prosecuted; selling is licensed and regulated.
Can I smoke a joint on the street?
Yes, in most places. No in: schools, train stations (the platforms), some parks (Vondelpark has designated areas), near schools, and inside coffeeshops if you bought elsewhere. Local rules vary.
What happens if I'm caught with hard drugs?
Arrest, detention for questioning (up to 6 hours, longer with a prosecutor), possible prosecution. Even tourists. The Netherlands has no "personal use only" decriminalisation for hard drugs. Sentences range from a fine to years in prison depending on quantity.
Why are truffles legal but mushrooms illegal?
A 2008 court ruling banned fresh psilocybin mushrooms. Truffles contain the same compound (psilocybin) but are a different growth stage of the same fungus. The legal distinction is technical, not scientific. Smartshops sell truffles legally because of this loophole.
Sources
- Wet Opium (Dutch Opium Act) text — government.nl
- Gemeente Amsterdam coffeeshop policy 2024 update
- Trimbos Instituut — Dutch drugs monitoring body
- EMCDDA (European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction) — country profile for Netherlands