The Amsterdam Coffee Shop

The term "coffeeshop" was first created by the Dutch habit of running words together, and since its application, it has become synonymous with a special kind of coffee shop. As you may have thought, the Amsterdam coffee shops do sell coffee and have one or more table to sit and drink it, but much to your surprise, the primary commodity in the Amsterdam coffee shops is cannabis, the botanical name for the plant from which marijuana comes. They are now licensed by the local council and subject to regulation; however, a strict minimum age of 18 is enforced.

How the Amsterdam Coffee Shops Work

In Amsterdam, the coffee shops are not allowed to advertise, thus you won't see a big sign saying "Marijuana for Sale". So, if you don't see the dealer's booth, simply go up to the bar and ask to see the menu. You will be presented with a list of the different grasses and hashes available at a range of prices.
In most of the Amsterdam coffee shops, the cannabis is sold by weight, but there are some that sold it by value. Where it is sold by weight, the prices for the cannabis are usually per gram. There are about 28 grams in an ounce, but there are still other Amsterdam coffee shops that actually sell quarters and eights if you want. On the other hand, where it is sold by value, the menu will present the quantity, in grams, that you'll get of each variety for a fixed amount of 20 euros, for example.

The Usual Prices

Being a primary commodity in most Amsterdam coffee shops, the prices of cannabis generally vary according to the location and type of the Amsterdam coffee shop. The heart of the city, the Amsterdam coffee shops sell the cannabis with prices that tend to be a little higher especially in places that cater for tourists. That involves both the connoisseur's shops and rip-off joints. It is also worth noting that the Amsterdam coffee shops are prohibited to promote or advertise their wares and most have removed their menus from their web sites.

The Question on Legality

As you may know, the legal situation of Amsterdam coffee shops selling cannabis is quite complicated. International treaties prohibit the Netherlands from legalizing cannabis, even if they wanted to. However, the possession of a small quantity is considered to be a misdemeanor rather than a criminal offence.
Many of the people in Amsterdam are used to a certain practice in which the possession of up to 30 grams of cannabis is permitted. The people are allowed to purchase five grams at a time, though, so you could be asked to explain if you are carrying more than five grams. But, along with these regulations, the law prohibits the Amsterdam coffee shops from advertising, exporting outside of the Netherlands, using hard drugs, an excess of five grams, an excess of the maximum of 500 grams of stock, and sales to under 18 years of age. Incidentally, the 500 gram stock rule which as long been maintained by the Amsterdam coffee shops, is routinely broken by the busier shops. It is now used by the authorities as pretence for occasional random raids to keep an eye on them.

Ajax Amsterdam and its Stadiums

Have you seen the Ajax Amsterdam playing their part in the football championships? Or, are you familiar with Ajax Amsterdam? Well, Ajax, as many people love to call it, is one of the famous football clubs in the world. It is a club with a very rich history. Accordingly, the Ajax Amsterdam started as a club with a group of friends who got together in their spare time. From this group of friends, the club grew until it became world famous, known for its beautiful and attractive football.

- The Small Pitch (1893-1900) - Before the official foundation of the Ajax Amsterdam in 1900, the club had played soccer on a small pitch at the end of Overtoom in the municipality of Nieuwer Amstel, which had been designated in 1881 as an extension for the Vondelpark. For fifteen guilders, the club was allowed to play on a field for a period of six months. And, it was only during 1896 that the City of Amsterdam pushed through its building plans. The field was then incorporated into the city borders, and so the players had to look for another pitch. Fortunately, they found the Amsterdam North.

- Amsterdam North (1900-1907) - In 1900 until 1907, there was a great shortage of football fields in Amsterdam. This is the situation that tempted Ajax Amsterdam to play alongside farmer's fields in the Builsloterham, Amsterdam Noord. The place was quite a trip for the spectators as it took them to travel with a chain ferry and a quarter-hour walk to reach to field. Dissatisfied with this far away location, the club moved to a playing field only a five-minute walk away from the ferry.

- The Wooden Stadium (1907-1934) - In 1907, the building plans for a new housing at the location in Amsterdam Noord forced Ajax Amsterdam once again to move and find a new playing field. There were actually two football fields found at Middenweg, which was again located in the middle of nowhere in a typical Dutch polder. However, it was here actually that for the first time in the club's history real stands were established around The Small Pitch. This stadium underwent expansion until it grew to a much bigger field. It is also here where Ajax Amsterdam won four league championships in succession and the number of their spectators increased rapidly.

- De Meer (1934-1996) - The Ajax team moved once again as they realized that the value of a football stadium is not determined by the building costs, but by the team playing in it. The De Meer stadium was to became Ajax home base for 62 years, and it was here where the legendary players built up the worldwide reputation the club now has. And any major fixtures the clue would use the Olympic Stadium because it could hold nearly double the fans.

- Amsterdam Arena (1996) - The Amsterdam ArenA was built in 96 at a cost of 134 million. The stadium holds up to 52,000 spectators. And also has a retractable roof which set a trend across Europe, but has a reputation of a bad pitch due to the roof and during the 08–09 season they introduced an artificial lighting system that has finally reduced this problem massively.