Coffee Shops, Amsterdam

Weed might well be obsolete.
During my recent stay in Amsterdam I learned that the trend nowadays in Holland is for "paddos", Dutch word for "paddestoel" or mushroom.
Hallucinogenic mushrooms are now a must in Amsterdam.
The Dutch newspapers reported already deadly casualties with "magic mushrooms" among tourists.
Owners of coffee shops will be obliged to hire skilled botanists in order to avoid further lethal cases.
Although I have not a Ph.D. in mycology, I feel I could recommend "Funghi Porcini" as a magic mushroom. I had some in Verona (Italy, where this "paddo" is grown) together with tagliatelle and I can tell you that I reached the seventh heaven.
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New.
There are now rules in preparation by the authorities of Amsterdam on the sale of paddo's in what they call "smartshops":
"Kopers die voor het eerst in een smartshop komen en paddo's willen aanschaffen, krijgen de drugs pas minimaal drie dagen later. In de tussenliggende periode kunnen ze informatie vergaren over de werking ervan."
Translation : Buyers who are coming for the first time in a smartshop and want to buy hallucinogenic mushrooms will receive the drugs after a minimum delay of 3 days. In between they can get information about the action of these paddo's.
Last year there were 124 incidents in Amsterdam, some deadly, with hallucinogenic mushrooms mostly with young tourists.
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LATEST NEWS
Since December 1st, 2008 paddo's (hallucinogenic mushrooms) are prohibited in the Netherlands.

The "smartshops" organisation "De Vereniging Landelijk Overleg Smartshops" (sic) is furious.

Great little coffeeshop know for its quality weeds,also a cannabis cup winner 2007 for there chocolope.They have large bongs to use, this i find does the trick.As for the size of the place its tiny, enough room for a table a couple of chairs and a small shelf along the wall with bar stools,so all in all it has everything you need *UPDATE Nov 2008* Try the Yellow Cab WOW!

pictured is a typical "coffee shop" in amsterdam. these are business that sell marijauna. there are about fifty of these establishments in central amsterdam. drugs per se are illegal in holland but these establishments are condoned by the dutch government. another interesting aspect of dutch culture.
here is an update, in may 2008 the dutch government has banned cigarette smoking in all public buildings in holland. however the "coffee shops" of amsterdam have been given an exception.

Yes, its all true about amsterdam. Whats more is that seated next to you, youll find locals who are great patrons of the green plant, and do it just like they're cigarettes. A little shocking, but almost guarantee a chillout atmosphere. haha

A very popular coffeeshop is called the Grasshopper, where you can find mostly tourists. But choose any old shop! be creative. I think it is rather expensive as well, accounting for all the fast food you be purchasing soon afterwards. ;)

We went to a coffee shop. I believe it was called the 420 Cafe but I could be wrong. It was pretty busy and the herb was good even for a second hand smoker like me. I didn't smoke but being around it makes you just as high I think. Its a nice relaxing time. And don't worry about trying to find a coffee shop---they are everywhere.

In their own words:

"In the steamy summer of 1992 The Greenhouse Effect was born. We wanted to give the discerning smoker an alternative to the stereotypical ´dark and seedy´coffeeshop and set about doing it our own way."

Well, that's exactly what they've achieved here... it's a lovely light space, full of lush green plants and bamboo floors and walls... if you're looking for a place to light up, make this your stop off point. The space cakes are nice too :) (just remember the effects may be stong!)

There is also a friendly-looking hotel attached, although I've not experienced it personally.

Drugs are legal everywhere. In the U.S., caffeine, niccotine and alcohol are the major legal drugs. In Amsterdam, I guess most people probably know that some other drugs are legal. And you should know that a coffeeshop in Amsterdam is not so much a coffeeshop as it is a place to sample different types of marijuana.

Cheech and Chong's is not as famous as The Bulldog (the first and most spoken-of Amsterdam coffeeshop), and it's not in the red-light district.

I guess that's about all there is to say about it, except that...

when in Amsterdam... :)

Smokeys coffee shop is a fair walk from the red light district, but its definitely worth making the effort to get there! Pool tables, a fussball table in good condition, excellent latte's, and very good weed... throw in friendly and helpful staff, recipe for success!