Cannabis and other drugs
You will be approached by people offering to sell you hard drugs in the street, especially as you are walking through the Red Light District. A firm refusal is enough - they will not pester you. The selling of drugs in the street is illegal and often dangerous, moreover the drugs sold to strangers are often fake.When they invite you to see the goods, they can lure you into a narrow street and rob you.

It cannot be denied that many tourists come to Amsterdam for the coffeeshops. Coffeeshops (in English but written as one word) only sell soft drugs such as marijuana and hash - asking for other drugs is pointless because coffeeshops are watched closely by the authorities, and nothing will get them closed quicker than having hard drugs on sale. If they don't use the English name, then they don't sell drugs, even if they are called a Koffiehuis, or something similar. 'Café' is the general name for a place licenced to sell alcohol, i.e. a bar. Some coffeeshops sell alcohol, but city policy is to discourage sale of alcohol and drugs in one place.

Quality varies! Coffeeshops aimed at tourists are more likely to have overpriced and poor quality products. A simple rule of thumb is: if the place looks good and well-kept chances are their wares will be good as well. Don't just enter a coffeeshop being overwhelmed that it's possible at all to buy and consume cannabis openly - be discerning as to the quality.

If you're not a smoker, start with something light, make sure you don't have an empty stomach, and don't combine it with alcohol. If you do find yourself too strongly under the influence - feeling nauseous, woozey or faint - drink lots of orange juice, eat something sweet like cookies or candy and get fresh air. Dutch-grown nederwiet (a.k.a. skunk) is much stronger than you might expect. The THC level has increased recently to as much as 15 % (source: Trimbos Institute).

So-called smartshops do not sell any illegal products, but a range of dietary supplements, including 'herbal exstacy' - a legal attempt at an XTC alternative which is a complete waste of money, various more or less obscure psychedelic herbs, and magic mushrooms. It is the latter which causes problems as people often underestimate their strength. Magic mushrooms have little physical risks attached to them, but can have a very strong short-acting psychological effect, which can either be great or very distressing, similar to LSD but lasting shorter. The first time you try this should always be in a familiar and trusted environment, not on the streets of a strange city. If you do decide to try it please get informed first. Conscious Dreams claims to do this honestly (without downplaying the risk just to sell more) and responsibly. Also plan well ahead, make sure you have thought out where you will be, most recommended is going to a large park like the Vondelpark or the Amsterdamse Bos where it is quiet, and there is no risk from traffic. Make sure that being intoxicated will not endanger your safety, or that of anybody else.

Do keep in mind that all hemp related products (except the seeds) are still illegal. This can be confusing for most tourists, who do think hemp products are legal since they are sold in coffeeshops. Hemp products are not legal, rather they are "tolerated" under the Dutch Opium Act.