Netherlands
Netherlands city guides
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Netherlands Marijuana Laws
As recorded December 15, 2025 · not verified as current law.
Cannabis laws in Netherlands follow Netherlands’s national law. Local cities generally do not set separate marijuana rules, so penalties are determined at the jurisdiction level.
Under the law, recreational cannabis is illegal. In practice, possession of small amounts (up to 5 grams) is decriminalized, and sales in licensed coffeeshops are tolerated. Medical cannabis is available with a prescription. Legal risk may still exist outside these tolerated contexts.
Quick facts
- Recreational: Illegal (tolerated in limited contexts)
- Medical: Available with prescription
- Possession: Up to 5g tolerated
- Buying/Selling: Tolerated in licensed coffeeshops
- Tourists: Generally permitted in coffeeshops
Practical guidance
Avoid cross-border transport of cannabis products. Do not assume informal tolerance equals legality.
Legislative Background
The Netherlands has maintained a formal tolerance policy (gedoogbeleid) since 1976, decriminalizing possession of up to 5 grams for personal use and allowing regulated sales in licensed coffeeshops despite cannabis remaining technically illegal under national law. Medical cannabis has been available through pharmacy prescriptions since 2003, with a state-regulated supply program for approved conditions.