Sale of cannabis in coffeeshops
Do you own a coffeeshop or do you want open a coffeeshop? There are strict conditions under which you can sell the soft drugs hash and weed (cannabis).
Find out more or arrange now
at your municipality, province, or water authority
Toleration policy
In the Netherlands, selling drugs is illegal. However, in some situtations the Dutch government tolerates the sale of soft drugs in so-called coffeeshops. Their owners will not be prosecuted if their establishment meets strict requirements, the so-called toleration policy.
Please note: Growing hemp plants for the production of soft drugs (cannabis plant) is prohibited. The preparation of illegal hemp cultivation is also prohibited.
Requirements for coffeeshops
To sell hash and cannabis you must comply with the rules of the toleration policy:
- You may not sell more than 5 grams of soft drugs per person per day.
- Minors are not allowed in your shop.
- You may not sell soft drugs to minors.
- You are not allowed to serve alcohol.
- You cannot advertise your coffeeshop or drugs.
- Your coffeeshop may not be a nuisance to the neighbourhood.
- You may not keep more than 500 grams of soft drugs in stock.
- You may only allow residents of the Netherlands in your coffeeshop.
- You may only sell soft drugs to residents of the Netherlands. Customers must be able to show a valid ID or a residence permit with an extract from the Personal Records Database (BRP).
- You cannot offer hash and weed online.
- You may not deliver drugs to customers.
Opening a coffeeshop
It is up to the municipal authorities whether or not they allow coffeeshops. Please note that different municipalities have different rules with regard to the sale of cannabis. Many city councils do not allow coffeeshops at all or only allow you to take over existing coffeeshops. Contact the local authorities for more information (in Dutch).
Operating permit for a catering establishment
If your municipality allows you to open a coffeeshop, you usually require an operating permit for a catering establishment and a toleration statement (gedoogverklaring). Often this also applies when you take over an existing coffeeshop. Your municipality can impose additional requirements. For example, your coffeeshop may not be located near a school.
Probity Screening
The municipality may apply the Dutch Public Administration (Probity Screening) Act (Wet Bibob) before granting the permit. If it should emerge that you have a criminal past or that you have criminal connections, the municipality may refuse or withdraw a permit.