Understanding the Weed Laws in the Netherlands

In 1976, the Dutch government amended its Opium Act, separating soft drugs like cannabis from hard drugs like heroin and cocaine.

This update to the law was called "gedoogbeleid", which translates to "tolerance policy" in English.

This policy gave councils the right to allow the sale of up to five grams of cannabis per person per day in licensed premises known as coffee shops.  

In addition to this groundbreaking approach, the policy also tolerated the possession of up to 5 grams of cannabis for personal use.

Since the introduction of the tolerance policy, cannabis has come a long way in the Netherlands, and since 2003, patients with specific health conditions have been able to gain access to the plant as an alternative to traditional treatments.  

Below you can find the summary of the cannabis laws in the Netherlands:

Is Weed Legal in the Netherlands?

In the Netherlands, cannabis is legal for medical use, but it's not fully legal for personal use. It's decriminalized and tolerated under a special policy called gedoogbeleid (tolerance policy), which tolerates the sales and possession of small amounts of cannabis.

What Is the Tolerance Policy?

The tolerance policy, known in Dutch as gedoogbeleid, is a government prevention policy that separates soft drugs like cannabis from hard drugs like cocaine and heroin. By regulating the sale and possession of small amounts of cannabis, it has managed to reduce the risk of exposure to more dangerous substances and has limited the influence of organized crime.

How Much Weed Can I Carry In Public?

You can carry up to 5 grams of cannabis in public.

Can I Use Weed in the Home?

The private use of cannabis is not seen as an offense in the Netherlands.

How Much Weed Can I Have In The Home?

You can have up to 5 grams of cannabis at home in the Netherlands.

Is It Legal To Use Weed In Public?

No, using cannabis in public in the Netherlands is illegal.  

Where Can I Buy Weed in the Netherlands?

Citizens and residents who are over the age of 18 can buy cannabis from licensed coffee shops.

Can I Grow My Own Weed Plants in the Netherlands?

No, cultivating your own cannabis plants is illegal in the Netherlands. However, the possession of up to five plants for personal use is decriminalized, and instead of arrest and imprisonment, the plants will be seized.

What Does Decriminalized Mean?    

Cannabis decriminalization means the plant remains technically illegal, but possession is no longer treated as a criminal offense. Instead of arrest or imprisonment, people found with amounts below the decriminalized threshold will receive a warning, fine, referral to a drug treatment program, or another non-criminal penalty.    

By removing criminal penalties, decriminalization helps reduce the social and economic impact of enforcing cannabis laws, such as policing, court proceedings, and jail time.  

Is CBD Legal in the Netherlands?

Yes, CBD containing less than 0.5% THC is legal in the Netherlands.