Drugs in Amsterdam

Every group of young people planning a trip to Europe hits the same moment in the conversation: "Wait, in Amsterdam you can just walk into a coffee shop, buy some weed, and sit down and smoke it?" Yes, you can. But a lot has changed since this page was first written, including the magic mushrooms, which are long gone from the shops, and where you're allowed to light up.

Here's what's allowed, what's tolerated, and what will get you in trouble in 2026.

Cannabis: tolerated, not legal

This surprises people. Cannabis is actually illegal in the Netherlands. Under the Dutch Opium Act, selling, producing and possessing drugs are all offenses. What the country has is a policy of toleration: prosecutors don't go after licensed coffeeshops for selling small amounts, or after individuals for possessing them. The limits, per the government:

• No more than 5 grams of cannabis (weed or hash) per person per day.
• You must be 18 or older. Shops check ID at the door.
• Coffeeshops can't sell alcohol, and they can't sell to minors or advertise.

Since 2013 the national rules have let cities restrict coffeeshops to Dutch residents, and enforcement varies from town to town. Amsterdam doesn't apply it. Mayor Femke Halsema has proposed closing the city's coffeeshops to tourists, and the idea was back on the table in early 2026, but the city's new coalition dropped it from the agreement it presented in June 2026, AT5 reported. So visitors can still buy, for now.

Quality is high and the choice is huge, which is why some people come once or twice a year and do little more than wander the canals and visit coffeeshops. It's not an underground scene. It's right out in the open. Our coffee shops guide and the Amsterdam coffeeshops FAQ cover how to choose a shop, how to order, and how not to overdo it.

Where you can and can't smoke

This is the rule that catches the most visitors. Since 25 May 2023, smoking cannabis outdoors is banned in the Red Light District and on Dam Square, Damrak and Nieuwmarkt, with a €100 fine. Inside a coffeeshop is fine. Elsewhere, smoking on the street is frowned on, and some other spots have their own local bans, so watch for signs. See where you can smoke and where you can't and our Red Light District guide.

Space cakes and edibles

Many coffeeshops sell space cakes, cookies and other edibles. They take much longer to kick in than a joint, often an hour or more, and they last for hours. The classic mistake is eating a second piece because the first "isn't working." Don't. Read the dangers of space cakes before you try one.

Magic mushrooms are banned, truffles aren't

When this page first ran, you could walk into a "smart shop" and buy psilocybin mushrooms. The government announced a ban in October 2007, and fresh and dried magic mushrooms have been illegal since 1 December 2008.

What smart shops sell instead are magic truffles, the underground part of certain psilocybin fungi. They weren't included in the ban, because the authorities considered them weaker, and smart shops still sell them legally, according to Wikipedia.

Our old warning still applies, maybe more so. Truffles are psychedelics, not a party snack. Take the staff's dosing advice seriously, start low, don't mix them with alcohol or cannabis, and have a sober friend nearby. A bad trip can mean hours of panic.

Laughing gas

Balloons of nitrous oxide used to be sold openly in nightlife areas. Since 1 January 2023, laughing gas for recreational use has been on the Opium Act list, so selling or carrying it is illegal, NL Times reported. Whipped cream chargers for the kitchen are exempt.

Ecstasy, cocaine and other hard drugs

The Netherlands is a major producer of ecstasy for export, but it's a hard drug under Dutch law, along with cocaine, heroin, amphetamine and GHB. It's not sold anywhere legally or tolerated. If you ask around in clubs you may find someone selling, but you never know what you're getting, and it isn't worth the risk. See other recreational drugs for more.

Amsterdam also has its share of street dealers, especially in the Red Light District, who mutter "coke, ecstasy" at passersby. What they sell is fake at best, sometimes something much worse, and the chance of being ripped off is close to 100%. Keep walking.

FAQ

Can tourists still buy weed in Amsterdam in 2026?

Yes. Amsterdam has not applied the residents-only rule, and the new city government decided against it in June 2026. Rules can change, so check again before a trip.

Can I take cannabis home or across a border?

No. Toleration only applies in Dutch coffeeshops. Taking cannabis out of the country, even to Belgium or Germany, is illegal, and it's a serious offense in most countries.

Can I smoke weed in my hotel?

Most hotels ban it, and many will charge a cleaning fee. Ask first, or stick to the coffeeshop.

Where can I learn more about cannabis while I'm here?

The Hash Marihuana & Hemp Museum in the Red Light District covers the history, the plant and the politics.