Rick Steves’ Europe: A Coffeeshop conversation in Amsterdam

Rick Steves on Apr 13, 2021

With a “Dank u wel, Pieter,” she tosses it into her shopping tote and hurries out.

“We have lots of states where recreational pot is legal but a coffeeshop like this is not possible yet in the United States,” I say.

“I know,” Pieter agrees. He shows me snapshots of Woody Harrelson and Willie Nelson, each hanging out in this obscure little coffeeshop, and continues. “America’s two most famous pot smokers told me all about America.”

The kid chimes in. “Hollanders — even those who don’t smoke — they believe soft drugs . . . you know, pot, hash . . . it shouldn’t be a crime.”

“What do your parents think?” I ask.

“They think the youth have a problem. My dad says, ‘Holland will get the bill later on.’”

“And other countries . . . doesn’t legal pot in Holland cause them a problem?” I ask.

“Actually, it’s not legal here,” he reminds me, “just tolerated. Officially, we can’t legalize anything because your country made these world treaties.”

“The French complain about Holland’s popularity with drug users, but they have a worse problem with illegal hard drugs,” Pieter adds. “Here, the police know exactly what’s going on and where.”

“In many states, American prisons are filled with pot offenders,” I tell him.

“Take your choice,” he says. “Allow for alternative ways of living or build more prisons. Here in Holland, pot is like cigarettes. We smoke it. We pay taxes. We don’t go to jail.”

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(Rick Steves (www.ricksteves.com) writes European guidebooks, hosts travel shows on public TV and radio, and organizes European tours. This article was adapted from his new book, For the Love of Europe. You can email Rick at rick@ricksteves.com and follow his blog on Facebook.)