Doobie in Amsterdam

Old Feb 3rd, 2016, 12:54 PM
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Doobie in Amsterdam

Hi

I'm traveling to Amsterdam in late September, 7-10 days, also considering spending the entire month there but maybe not. Obviously still working out the details but thinking an apartment might be better for a week than a hotel. Any recommendation, close or in the center to see art, museums and be near restaurants. Also the finest place to smoke a good doobie? How risky? It will be my first time in Amsterdam. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!
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Old Feb 3rd, 2016, 01:20 PM
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About Doobies - marijuana is sold de-factolly legally in dozens and dozens of coffeeshops in Holland, with many in Amsterdam- smoking inside the coffeeshop is perfectly legal but outside is a different story - in public be careful - not because cops will go out of their way to bust you but as a courtesy to locals - if no one is around I often do light up on a park bench, etc.

The best shop - there are too many to recommend but all are on the up and up IME - chose one near your flat or hotel and make it your regular place to hang out - smoking in hotels or flats may be dicey - check with the owner first IMO or be very discrete - so none of the smoke gets out into the hallway, etc. - again out of concern for others.

don't take any weed out of Holland - checks on trains even with dogs are rife going into other countries IME.

There are also edibles if you care not to smoke some place - and Energy shops last I knew legally sold magic mushrooms - with edibles and shrooms be very careful to pace yourself.

Holland is not nearly as friendly to potas before but for the time being you can comfortably smoke the evil weed in coffeeshops and your own residence (if allowed)- be careful outside though I have never heard of anyone being busted for a few grams of cannabis (sold in grams).

http://www.amsterdam.info/coffeeshops/
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Old Feb 3rd, 2016, 01:21 PM
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http://www.amsterdam.info/smartshops/
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Old Feb 3rd, 2016, 01:34 PM
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Whilst many Dutch still smoke tobacco I doubt any apartment you rent would welcome you smoking tobacco or weed. Hotels will certainly take a very dim view of you smoking in your room. Most do not allow any smoking in rooms. You cannot smoke in public areas, or anywhere other than a coffeeshop with any degree of security. You can get away with it in a park, but I wouldn't, certainly not in Amsterdam where you could be targeted by other drug sellers or worse.
Depending on your age, or how young you look be prepared to show ID in a coffeeshop, they don't want to lose their licence selling to underage users.

Trains and planes from the Netherlands are subject to extra checks, and the dogs have very sensitive noses. Whilst you may not have anything on you the smell lingers on you and on your clothing, and you stand a good chance of being stopped and searched.
The expert in Amsterdam cooffeshops is artstuff, but I haven't seen her around on the forums for a while.
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Old Feb 3rd, 2016, 01:35 PM
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Wow thanks. Sounds like you really know the ropes. I'm not a hardcore doobie dooer, just wanna try a little while there. Not even as hardcore as smoking it in my hotel room and definitely no edibles. That can really kill me if I'm not careful. No on shrooms either I don't do that stuff just a little doobs. Is it really better than northern California's finest? Potas? What are potas? Was that a typo? And why do I feel like I'm whispering while typing this lol
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Old Feb 3rd, 2016, 01:42 PM
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Thanks hetismij2. So it's not as prevalent as I thought.
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Old Feb 3rd, 2016, 01:56 PM
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Is it really better than northern California's finest?>

Absolutely No - the medical pot I buy legally here in Michigan is stronger by far than that what I find in coffee shops or at least as strong - the Dutch were even going to limit THC levels of dope legally sold to 15% THC but think that went up in smoke - but THC levels are now the same worldwide thanks to breeding efforts everywhere - why grow anything but the most potent - coffeeshops sell by the potency - the most expensive the more the wow - start with a low-priced bag if not used to smoking high-potency weed.

There are pot-friendly hotels and airbnbs I think - especially airbnbs - why are you staying here a whole month - the pot novelty wares off after a while and though Amsterdam is my favorite city in Europe for the average traveler 4-5 days is more than enough. The city still has a certain scuzz factor that I hear many folks complain about - though I do not see that aspect of it but many tell me they did. there are a lot of hard-drug addicts hanging around certain areas like some parts of the Red-Light District.

I'm not certain outside use of pot is as dangerous as hetismij2 - who does live in Holland but I think rarely goes in any coffeeshop or even to Amsterdam - at one recent Queen's Day I saw young kids way under 18 all over the place smoking weed quite openly throughout the town. May have been a special compensation day?
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Old Feb 3rd, 2016, 02:28 PM
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If you mean scuzz factor as in gross and seedy then that doesn't sound very nice. I'm not going to Amsterdam to smoke weed. I can do that any day in the privacy of my comfy home. It was just to try it while there. But apparently it doesn't sound exceptional. The month was a distant consideration more like a week. Are you familiar with the trains to Belgium? I'd love to go to Brussels and Bruges I've never been there either.
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Old Feb 3rd, 2016, 04:57 PM
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Go to Ghent also while in Belgium!
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Old Feb 3rd, 2016, 05:13 PM
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Brings back memories of an uncomfortable incident the last time we were in Amsterdam. My wife and I felt hunger pangs late one evening and stopped into a "Cafe" for a bite to eat. We seated ourselves and asked to see the menu, and were given a bewildering list of strange items. Didn't recognize any of them as typical Dutch foods I knew from when I lived in Amsterdam many years ago.

The kind waitress saw my confusion and gently explained that this was not the kind of "cafe" we were seeking for a light night snack. She escorted us to the door and all but patted the old chap on the head.

Most embarrassing ---- but I now wish I had ordered something, and satisfied my munchies some place else.
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Old Feb 3rd, 2016, 05:51 PM
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You have to remember in most places there is a menu and there is a variety of types and strengths on offer. Whether or not something like "Amnesia" or "White Widow" is "exceptional" compared to what you are "used to" (to be polite about it) only you can decide.
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Old Feb 3rd, 2016, 08:49 PM
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Would smoking get me in any trouble with the law, if done inside a legal coffeehouse?

Amnesia lol That doesn't sound like my trip. I'd love to remember everything. nukesafe great story

Is Ghent better to see than Bruges if I only had 2 days? Which place has better chocolate, if that helps? Thanks so much for all the advice.
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Old Feb 4th, 2016, 01:12 AM
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Smoking inside a coffeeshop will not get you into trouble with the law.

Anywhere in Belgium has good chocolate - try the Chocolate Line in Brugge (and in Amsterdam try Puccini Bomboni). Brugge is beautiful, much more touristy than Gent. Gent has more students, nightlife. You can visit both, they're a short train ride apart.
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Old Feb 4th, 2016, 01:16 AM
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There was me thinking there was a Brothers fake band convention
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Old Feb 4th, 2016, 04:04 AM
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Unfortunately, some of the best coffeeshops have shut down. The Greenhouse used to be superb, and they had a couple of shops in town -- their Super Silver Haze would, as the Michelin guide might say, be worth a serious detour. You ndefinitely want to avoid the Bulldog, though it's probably the most visible place.

Do check out High Times. Also, as mentioned earlier, talk to the people behind the counter to figure out what types of smoke is likely best for what you're looking for.

Zero risk to enjoy the doobie inside the coffeeshop where you buy it. But please be considerate and don't smoke outside in a public place (like a park). Also, if you smoke in your hotel room, you could well find that they will tack on a very hefty room cleaning charge.
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Old Feb 4th, 2016, 05:47 AM
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Dampkring is also good, as is Rookerij.

There's now also a restaurant on Haarlemmerstraat, where you can vaporize the weed and take it that way, while you eat pretty top notch food.
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Old Feb 4th, 2016, 05:47 AM
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There are only a few folks here on Fodors that like Brussels. It was fine for a day or two but I won't go back(I spent 2 nights to get over jet lag).

But, Brugge was my highlight (spent 3 nights there and could have spent longer). Loved, loved, loved Brugge!

Gent was a close second to Brugge in my opinion (spent 2 nights there).

With your short time, I would not base in Brussels but would pick either Brugge or Gent and daytrip to the other. Only a short train ride away from each other.
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Old Feb 4th, 2016, 07:33 AM
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Would smoking get me in any trouble with the law, if done inside a legal coffeehouse?>

absolutely not - that's the oxymoron here - it is legal to buy and smoke inside the shop but not outside and it is illegal I believe for the shop owners to bring it in the backdoor and illegal for you to take it out the front door - kind of murky anywhere but inside it seems.

Trains to Bruges take 3.5 hours - changing in Antwerp and Bruges is outstanding - one of the finest looking cities north of the Alps - old world for sure in its ancient town centre. www.thalys.com is one site for trains to Bruges via Antwerp or Brussels - book early and get sweet discounts and the ABS fare lets you go from any Thalys station in Belgium on an international trip to any station in Belgium for a few extra euros - for lots on trains check www.seat61.com - good info on discounted tickets and general info - www.budgeteuropetravel.com (check out their free online European Planning & Rail Guide for lots of suggestions on where to go by rail near Amsterdam - Germany is very very close) and www.ricksteves.com.

Amsterdam is neat for like 4-5 days with a surfeit of neat things to do - museums galore of an eclectic nature and nice short day trips to places like Delft, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht or Zaanse Schans and its windmills to name just a few.
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Old Feb 4th, 2016, 10:21 AM
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Thank you so much. Please keep the chocolate and coffeehouse recs flowing and whatever must see art and gallery. I have a wide range so if you loved something there I might too. Which neighborhoods are most central to search for a hotel? Checking out airbnb too.

I didn't think of basing in Bruges and day tripping to Brussels, good point. How long of a train ride, any stops? Curious about the Brussels naysayers. I've always heard Brussels has amazing food, not true? I could have a week total in Belgium.

No worries, I've seen enough Locked Up Abroad to not do anything with a high stupid quotient so only 100% legit stuff, no park or apt hotel plus there are kids at the park that's thug life.

I had to look up the Brothers band that was definitely not my generation!! Any good songs I might've heard of?
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Old Feb 4th, 2016, 10:23 AM
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Missed the 3.5 hours oops! Thanks PalenQ. How about Ghent?
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