| In Amsterdam there are 1000s of coffee | | | | Cannabis prices vary according to shop |
| shops where one can go freely. It not | | | | location and type. In the centre of |
| only serves coffee, but also hashish and | | | | Amsterdam prices tend to be a little |
| marijuana are available. People of | | | | higher especially in places that cater |
| Amsterdam have achieved a higher state | | | | for tourists - that includes both |
| of civilization than the rest of the | | | | rip-off joints and connoisseur's shops. |
| world, as they have a more rational | | | | Coffee shops are not allowed to |
| attitude to facts-of-life like drugs and | | | | advertise their wares. |
| prostitution. | | | | Head shops have been around since the |
| The word coffeeshop, conveniently | | | | 1960s which sell all kinds of smoking |
| created by the Dutch habit of running | | | | paraphernalia (pipes, bongs, papers, |
| words together, has become synonymous | | | | rolling machines), books, comics, |
| with a special kind of coffee shop. | | | | posters, T-shirts, etc. Grow shops have |
| These places do sell coffee and have one | | | | evolved alongside the rise of Nederwiet, |
| or more tables to sit and drink it but, | | | | the weed grown in the Netherlands that |
| their primary commodity is cannabis. | | | | is supplanting imported grass and hash. |
| These days they are licensed by the | | | | They sell cannabis seeds and all of the |
| local council and subject to regulation. | | | | equipment to grow them. Some of the |
| A strict minimum age of 18 is enforced. | | | | shops are related to the major seed |
| Coffee shops are not allowed to | | | | banks that breed the improved varieties |
| advertise, so you won't see a big sign | | | | of marijuana. All will give advice on |
| saying "Marijuana for Sale". If there is | | | | cultivation. Smart shops are also found |
| no dealer's booth, just go up to the bar | | | | outside of the Netherlands, selling |
| and ask to see the 'menu'. There will a | | | | "herbal"or smart drugs. Dutch smart |
| list of the various different grasses | | | | shops are different because they also |
| and hashes available at a range of | | | | sell magic mushrooms. |
| prices. | | | | |