The Netherlands has an interesting history when it comes to cannabis. The country is well known for its tolerant attitude towards the drug, and Amsterdam in particular has become something of a cannabis mecca, with ‘coffee shops’ dotted around the city. But where did this laid-back approach to marijuana come from? In this article we will look at how cannabis culture evolved in the Netherlands over time, tracing its origins back centuries ago and exploring how it developed into what we know today. Bring your Furna vaporizer and fly on over to the Netherlands with us!
The use of cannabis can be traced back to the mid-17th century in the Dutch East Indies, which is now modern day Indonesia. At this time, cannabis was widely used for medicinal purposes and some people believed it had spiritual properties. It didn’t take long for its popularity to spread to Europe, where more and more people began to experiment with it for recreational purposes. While marijuana was still fairly popular in Holland during the 18th century, it wasn’t until the 1960s that things really started to change. This was when ‘hippie culture’ started to become a major influence on society and young people were particularly keen to experiment with marijuana as part of this counterculture movement. As such, the Netherlands began to relax its laws on cannabis and people started to smoke it openly without fear of persecution.
Fast forward a few decades and the Netherlands is now well known for its relaxed attitude towards marijuana, particularly in Amsterdam. The city has become something of a mecca for cannabis culture, with an abundance of coffee shops where marijuana can be bought and consumed legally. This is due to the Dutch government’s policy of ‘gedoogbeleid’, which essentially means that while they don’t condone or encourage the use of cannabis, they will also not actively prosecute those who partake in it. As such, this tolerant attitude towards marijuana has enabled Amsterdam’s famous coffee shop culture to thrive over time.
This culture can be seen in many different forms, from coffee shops that sell marijuana to festivals and exhibitions dedicated to the drug. Amsterdam embraced outdoor cannabis exhibitions and festivals, such as the Cannabis Cup and High Times Magazine’s Cannabis Cup. These events attracted people from all over the world to come celebrate marijuana culture in a safe and friendly environment. This sparked an international conversation about not only marijuana laws but also how to use cannabis responsibly. Cannabis events such as these have become increasingly popular over time, providing an opportunity for people to come together and share their love of marijuana in a safe and legal environment. There are also numerous educational courses dedicated to teaching people about responsible use of marijuana, as well as festivals highlighting different aspects of cannabis culture such as music, art, cuisine and fashion.
Today, Amsterdam is home to more than 200 coffee shops where locals and tourists can buy pre-rolled joints or edibles containing THC. It has become one of the most popular tourist destinations for those interested in experiencing marijuana culture. With its relaxed attitude towards cannabis, Amsterdam has become a leader in drug policy reform throughout Europe. Coffee shops have become an integral part of the city’s culture, which are regulated and sell other cannabis-infused products like oils and waxes too.
The Netherlands has also taken steps to ensure that the sale and consumption of marijuana is done responsibly. In order to purchase marijuana at a coffee shop, you must be 18 years or older and you can only buy up to 5 grams of dry flower at one time. This law was put into place to prevent drug trafficking and abuse. Additionally, Amsterdam has implemented a “weed pass” system which requires locals to have a special card in order to purchase cannabis from coffee shops. The weed pass helps keep track of who is buying marijuana for recreational use and who may be involved in drug trafficking.
Overall, the Netherlands has been a pioneer in cannabis culture and drug policy reform. Amsterdam is now one of the most popular tourist destinations for those interested in experiencing marijuana culture with its abundance of coffee shops where people can legally buy pre-rolled joints or edibles containing THC. Click here to explore other ways of enjoying your herb. While there are still many debates around the use of cannabis and how it should be regulated, the Netherlands’ tolerant attitude towards marijuana has enabled its famous coffee shop culture to thrive over time. This vibrant cannabis culture continues to grow as more countries look at ways they can legalize or decriminalize recreational marijuana use.
