Message: I am traveling to Amsterdam with my 15 year old son. He is aware of the coffee houses and<BR>cannabis availabilty. I have told him that minors are not allowed to purchase. Is this correct? Is ID checked for age. I would like to be truthful and avoid a struggle around this issue.<BR><BR><BR>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<BR>

They are not allowed to purchase, nor are they allowed inside the coffeeshop. Except they are allowed in to the souvenir shop for the Bulldog.

Maybe you should take charge as a parent and tell him that he isn't going to get any cannabis regardless of any local laws.<BR><BR>Grow a backbone and forget about your &quot;issue&quot;.

This is from my Let's Go Amsterdam guidebook (which BTW is great!): &quot;Those under 18 are not allowed to purchase drugs nor can they be inside a coffeeshop.&quot; Another tidbit is that MJ/hash have been &quot;decriminalized&quot; and hence are &quot;tolerated&quot; but not legalized.<BR>

You've been given the facts, but now comes the practical side. Since you said you wanted to &quot;avoid a struggle&quot; you seem to be telling us that your son is definitely going to be seeking the stuff out. He does not need to set foot in a coffeehouse. He will have no problem getting some during a 3 minute restroom break from you at a cafe or restaurant. If you are as convinced that he will not get some as he may be that he will, I suspect your trip is doomed to being a &quot;struggle&quot;.