A cannabis coffeeshop (26 pics)

A cannabis coffeeshop is a place where the sale of cannabis and hashish for personal consumption by the public is tolerated by the local authorities (in Dutch called gedoogbeleid). They are most commonly found in the Netherlands.

Under the drug policy of the Netherlands, cannabis products and other substances are tolerated and allowed inside licensed coffee shops, as well as cannabis and hashish paraphernelia like pipes, bongs, and rolling papers. Aside from selling cannabis products and paraphernelia, the majority of coffeeshops also serve drinks and food. Alcohol, however, is not allowed, nor are hard drugs. The idea of coffeeshops was introduced in the 1970s for the explicit purpose of keeping hard- and softdrugs separated.

In the Netherlands, 105 of the 443 municipalities have at least one coffeeshop. Many at the borders sell mostly to foreigners (mostly from Belgium, Germany and France), who can also buy marijuana in their own countries, but prefer the higher product quality of Dutch coffeeshops.

Dutch coffeehouses not serving marijuana are called koffiehuis, whilst a café is the equivalent of a bar.