Alright, let’s roll up those sleeves and get to business. Time to grow some weed! Oh wait… we can’t… or can we? We’re not entirely sure. Let’s get up to speed on this, and bust some myths about weed in the Netherlands.
The weird legal construction concerning our Dutch weed (nederwiet) deserves all the attention it can get.
Ready? We hope so, because some of these are about to surprise you.
Yep, that’s the number one myth. Plenty of people, especially tourists, think weed is legal in Holland.
Contrary to popular opinion, that’s NOT the case.
Dutch weed is mostly decriminalised, though certain coffeeshops in Breda and Tilburg were the focus of the Netherlands’ test phase with legalising weed in 2023.
This means the police won’t randomly arrest unsuspecting smokers, but if a group causes a nuisance while smoking weed, then the law can act as a fallback.
The Dutch government adopted this strategy in 1976, after researching what would be best to prevent drug addiction and realising weed could be a gateway drug to harder and more addictive substances such as ecstasy and cocaine.
Back then, you could only purchase weed via a dealer as there were no coffeeshops.
Dealers had a whole assortment of substances you might be interested in, so it was far easier to start experimenting with other drugs.
Since the decriminalisation of weed, consumers of 18 years and above could smoke their skunk on the streets and carry up to five grams per person.
This caused small bars to jump into this newly discovered market and start selling our friend Mary Jane.
Still, a gigantic legal clutter (think entangled Christmas lighting) was created to keep weed “officially” illegal to not butt heads with the United Nations (and the EU), but at the same time not prohibit research on drug prevention and common logic.
This had some crazy consequences. Although smoking and consuming weed is okay and selling it is condoned, it is illegal to grow and sell to coffeeshops.
To control this, the police do randomised and regular check-ups on coffeeshops.
2. Everyone in the Netherlands loves weed
If you think that now there is peace in our little Dutch kingdom and it will only be a matter of time before weed will be legalised, then think again.
There are still plenty of haters out there, and many Dutch people want the green stuff banned completely.
The Christian parties, in particular, hold a persistent ban-weed campaign. Crazy antics followed since these parties have been part of a lot of Dutch coalitions for the past decades.
Not everyone is a fan of weed, especially when it comes to smoking it in public. Image: Freepik
Weed was decriminalised back in 1967 as part of a two-step program. First decriminalisation and then regulation.
The Netherlands just never got to that second step. 😬
There is plenty of research to support that there are fewer addicts and lower crime statistics in Holland compared to other countries like the USA.
Still, Christian parties, namely SGP, CDA and CU, would love nothing more than to close down those evil sin machines called coffeeshops.
Ironically enough, some criminal organisations are also doing the best they can to keep the growing process illegal.
This way, they can still make some decent tax-free money and be able to fund some of their other branches of illegal activity.
3. Owning a coffeeshop is easy
You think that running a coffeeshop means easy cash? Racking in the money whilst smoking? If only… 🙄
Coffeeshops fell victim to the Christian dogma because rule after rule was enforced upon them.
First off, coffeeshops weren’t allowed to advertise their shop (ok, that’s not that weird considering alcohol also can’t — oh wait…).
Nope, in the Netherlands, a coffeeshop is not the place to go for an Iced Caramel Latte. 👀 Image: Depositphotos
Then, they came up with the rule that coffeeshops had to be at least 150 meters from any schools in the vicinity. This forced a lot of coffeeshops to close down.
What followed were laws that classified between soft drugs and hard drugs. This actually made some varieties of weed hard drugs (when levels of THC are higher than 15%) and some soft drugs.
Mind you, these categories were created in the first place in 1967 to make a distinction between weed and other drugs to condone it.
According to this new rule, the police have to officially check THC levels (with their great expertise in this area and plenty of time on their hands 👀), and coffeeshop owners now have to pass up on some great products.
Next up, they extended the school rule to 200 meters. Sadly enough, it wasn’t stated clearly enough if this was supposed to be 200 meters walking distance or as the eagle flies.
So before long, police officers were on their knees with measuring sticks trying to see which coffeeshops were obliged to close down and which weren’t.
4. Dutch weed is of consistently great quality
Again, this one is sadly not true.
Although the Dutch have experimented with many rules and regulations surrounding weed, no progress has been made on this front.
We just can’t guarantee the quality will be consistently good or bad. One week a particular grower might be arrested, and very the next week, another grower might start back up.
When it became clear a national weed pass was starting to backfire, with tourists now buying weed illegally, the Dutch House of Representatives wanted to get rid of the issue ASAP.
They went back to their perpetual plan B, which was delegating this hot topic to the regional ruling. Now municipalities have a lot of the power.
5. The stereotypes about smokers are true
This leads us to the final myth. Obviously, people think in stereotypes, and obviously, there can often be some truth to them.
But let’s be honest: generalisation is just another word for ignorance.
Not all gays have a leather fetish, not all girls love to comb their hair while talking about ponies, and not all smokers are flushed-through-the-toilet low-life addicts trembling before taking their next bong hit.
Of course, they are out there. But there is a much wider variety of species. It’s fascinating to see who drops by at coffee shops.
If it isn’t rich tourists coming for a smoke, it’s a fitness instructor. If it isn’t a model, it’s an accounting manager. If it’s not a war photographer, it’s an academic scholar. If it isn’t a programmer, it’s a school teacher.
Yup, the coffeeshop crowd ranges from student to professor. Image: Depositphotos
Let’s start thinking and talking about weed less in the sense of OD-ing on our latest batch of overcooked crystal meth, and more in the sense of enjoying a fine glass of ripe red wine after a good meal!
Did you know these things weren’t true about weed in the Netherlands? Let us know in the comments below.
Forget today’s Wall Street traders doing sneaky insider trading — back in the 60s, Dutch exporters had a simple trick up their sleeve that managed to save them a casual 22 million dollars. 🤑
For years, there were negotiations about how Germany could get their land back — but finally, in 1957, it was agreed that Germany would pay 280 million Deutsche Mark to have Elten and Tüddern returned back to them on August 1, 1963.
That date is where it all got interesting. 😯
What was the clever foresight?
Businesses knew that Elten would return to German territory on August 1, 1963. So, the night before, Dutch and German exporters filled hundreds of vans to the brim with goods like coffee and butter (which were much more expensive in Germany at the time) and quietly slept overnight in the town.
When they woke up, the trucks were automatically on German territory, and no border crossing was necessary. That meant that no import duties could be paid.
We hear you asking, “So what?” 🤔
Well, the trick saved an estimated 50 to 60 million Guilders — in today’s cash, that’s roughly €22,700,000! Yep, all in a day’s work. 😉
To make matters crazier, there was so much activity on that one evening that the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia had to pay 250,000 Deutsch Marks to the municipality to repair the asphalt that had been damaged by the convoy.
The wee village of Elten is now renowned for the Eltener Butternacht (Elten Butter Night).
What do you think of this crafty trading? Tell us in the comments below! 👇
Any long-term resident of Amsterdam will tell you that the city has changed. But how? One Amsterdammer has put it perfectly: it’s becoming a playground for the “oat milk elite.”
In fact, he’s written a whole book about the phenomenon.
Amsterdammer, Jonas Kooyman, author of De havermelkelite (the oat milk elite), has witnessed a worrying change across the capital city.
Speaking with RTL Nieuws, he says, “All character is disappearing from the city.” Instead, one specific monoculture is beginning to take hold: that of the “oat milk elite.”
Who are the oat milk elite?
How can you identify this group of people? Kooymans offers some indicative features in his book:
They live in the Randstad
They are in their 20’s or 30’s
They live in a formerly working-class neighbourhood
They vote progressive left
They do yoga, pilates, or make use of a class app
They have an academic background
They order oat milk cappuccinos
They are in an open relationship or use the Feeld app
They ride around on an e-bike
They visit restaurants because they saw them on TikTok or Instagram
Feeling seen? We hate to break it to you, but you’re part of Kooyman’s “oat milk elite.”
Speaking with RTL Nieuws, Kooyman offers some examples of the effects this culture has on Amsterdam’s neighbourhoods.
“Everything and everyone is starting to look the same. You see the same stainless steel tables everywhere, the same Spotify playlist seems to be playing in every coffee bar and everyone is wearing Adidas Sambas or Birkenstock Bostons.” — Recognise this? 👀
Now, before you diss Kooyman for perfectly summarising your lifestyle, consider what he has to say about why he’s not a lover of the “oat milk elite”.
“If you scratch beneath the shiny layer, it is a culture that you can only participate in if you have money and the right cultural capital, or in other words, understand the cultural codes.”
Ok, I’m guilty, what can I do to not be part of the problem
As all internationals in the Netherlands know, cultural exclusion is very real. So what can we do when we’re part of the group of people doing the excluding?
Kooyman has a few suggestions:
“Try to stay connected to the city by not only going to restaurants that are owned by a chain. Don’t let your taste be determined by the algorithms of TikTok and Instagram, but look further,” he tells RTL Nieuws.
“Visit a cultural event, go to that brown café, just cook for friends at home, instead of visiting yet another trendy restaurant with rickety stools. And dare to admit that you also find all the things you buy ridiculously expensive.”
What do you think of Kooyman’s insights? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
Steven Van de Velde, a Dutch volleyball player convicted under British law for raping a 12-year-old girl, is still facing the heat at the Paris Olympics.
Or, rather, the boos.
As reported by Guardian journalist Alexandra Topping, Van de Velde was greeted with a chorus of boos (and a smattering of cheers) as he took to the field for last Sunday’s match. 👇
Boos -and some applause – as Steven van de Velde, who was convicted of raping a 12-year-old British girl when he was 19, enters the Stadium with his partner Matthew Immers. The boos were more audible when he was later introduced separately #PARIS2024pic.twitter.com/yJGjxXKzE9
Initially sentenced to four years in prison for having sex with a minor he knew to be underage, Van de Velde was extradited to the Netherlands one year into his sentence.
There, his sentence was drastically reduced to an “indecent act”. (Which, shockingly, is what sex with a minor was categorised as under Dutch law at the time. 🤯)
Now Van de Velde, who once framed the incident as “we both had our problems“, has been allowed to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Dutch Olympics team still stand behind the player
Despite a petition for Van de Velde’s disqualification having now racked up over 120,000 signatures, most Dutch sporting institutions remain unwavering in their support.
(Warning ⚠️: Distressing themes) Over 80,000 people have signed a petition calling for the disqualification of an Olympic athlete in light of his prior child rape conviction.
In 2016, Dutch beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde was convicted of raping a British 12-year-old… pic.twitter.com/qbS0CUEmzI
André Cats, Top Sports Director of the NOC*NSF (the Dutch national sports organisation), told NU.nl that “athletes, just like everyone else, deserve a second chance if they have been convicted.”
“For us, Steven is a qualified athlete who meets all the conditions to go to the Games,” he continued.
Whilst this sentiment is shared by Michel Everaert, general manager of Nevobo (the Dutch national volleyball association), the public just isn’t having it.
Many point to the hypocrisy of Olympics officials for banning dressage gold medallist, Charlotte Dujardin, after videos surface of her whipping her horse — but turning a blind eye to a participant convicted of child rape.
Others point to the difference in treatment between Van de Velde and Sha’Carri Richardson, an American track and field sprinter banned from the 2021 Tokyo Olympics for testing positive for cannabis.
On the Left: Sha'carri Richardson, who was banned from the Olympics last time for testing positive for… cannabis
On the right: Steven van de Velde, who was convicted of raping a 12 year old girl. He is free to compete for the Netherlands Beach Volleyball team this year pic.twitter.com/YZcVk6tUBG
Despite the extended detour that summer took to arrive, the Netherlands has something massive to celebrate: having the third-most powerful passport in the WORLD! 🥳
According to the Henley Passport Index, which ranks nations according to the number of countries they have visa-free access to, the Netherlands is joint third, with visa-free access to 191 countries.
Joined by Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, South Korea, and Sweden, it’s certainly in good company!
However, Asian nation Singapore officially nabs the crown with visa-free access to a whopping 194 countries. 👑
Dying to see the full list? Check it out! 👇
#
Countries
Visa-free access (in countries)
1
Singapore
194
2
France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain
192
3
Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden
191
4
Belgium, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom
190
5
Australia and Portugal
189
6
Greece and Poland
188
7
Canada, Czechia, Hungary, and Malta
187
8
the United States
186
9
Estonia, Lithuania, and the United Arab Emirates
185
10
Iceland, Latvia, Slovakia, and Slovenia
184
What do you think of the rankings? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
A Dutch man is facing a €30,000 fine after killing a stray cat in Greece last weekend.
The incident occurred last Saturday in a small suburb of Athens where the man has lived for several years.
The man found a stray cat in his backyard. However, instead of embracing doe normaal, he made another choice: to take a crowbar and whack the cat on the head multiple times.
The cat died in the backyard. The man then placed the mutilated body of the cat in a blue bag and threw it out down the street, reports the AD.
Witness to the crime
The senseless killing was watched by a horrified neighbour who took quick action, calling the police.
The police arrived at the man’s address, where the Dutchman acted aggressively and opposed his arrest.
The police found the weapon covered with blood and cat hair. Eventually, the man confessed to his crime.
An expensive mistake
Stray cats, in particular, are often the target of animal abusers in Greece. Greece is cracking down on animal abuse (and rightly so).
With a horrendous record of disregarding animal rights, including a man in Crete hanging a dog by his hind legs in 2020, the Greek government is trying to force change.
The Dutchman’s €30,000 fine is one example of this. If he cannot pay the fine, he may be thinking about his mistake from inside a Greek prison cell.
Penalties in Greece have been increasing over the past several years. They now include fines of thousands of euros or even prison time of up to ten years.
So you want to live near Amsterdam and are curious about what it’s like living in Hoofddorp as an international? We can’t blame you; it’s a charming, cheap alternative with lots to offer.
Hoofddorp doesn’t just have a funny-looking name; it’s also an up-and-coming area near the Dutch capital.
Known as a small, quiet town, Hoofddorp has heaps to offer for everyone — from people in business to nature enthusiasts and art lovers.
Ready to find out what’s so great about Hoofddorp? Let’s get to it.
Welkom to Hoofddorp
As part of the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area (AMA), Hoofddorp sits snugly beneath Schiphol Airport, and has grown rapidly over the past years.
Built on reclaimed land, Hoofddorp started as a quaint little dorpje (town) and is now its own charming little city.
Being the largest village in the Haarlemmermeer municipality, Hoofddorp offers a delightful mix of shopping, working, living, dining, nature and culture — it’s that nice combination of peacefulness and excitement that we all want.
Hoofddorp is a budget-friendly gem compared to bustling cities such as Amsterdam, Utrecht, or Leiden — and there’s much to love about it.
What’s the cost of living in Hoofddorp?
Naturally, cost of living is a big factor when it comes to choosing a place to live in the Netherlands.
If you’re an international considering making Hoofddorp your home, there are two factors that you should consider outside of your housing costs: groceries and entertainment.
Groceries
In Hoofddorp, your everyday essentials will run you about the same as anywhere else in the Netherlands.
That being said, depending on where you come from, prices in the Netherlands seem quite steep.
In the entertainment department, whether it’s catching a movie, dining out, or chilling at your go-to café, prices in Hoofddorp are pretty much in line with what you’d find in other Dutch cities.
The bustling city centre is the place to be for all your entertainment endeavours! Image: Alf van Beem/Wikimedia Commons/CC0
This means you can expect to spend around €25 for a decent dinner with drinks at a local restaurant, €10 for a movie ticket, and between €25 to €50 for a gym membership.
Let op! A considerable cost to consider when living in Hoofddorp is the cost of public transport. Dutch public transport is known to be expensive, so if you want to commute to Amsterdam everyday, we’d suggest you check out NS season tickets!
What area of Hoofddorp is the best to live in?
Hoofddorp is a small town with a selection of charming neighbourhoods to choose from.
Each neighbourhood has its own charm and amenities — and all are conveniently close to the town centre.
Here’s a brief overview of some of the major neighbourhoods in Hoofddorp:
Bornholm
Centrum
Floriande
Graan voor Visch
Overbos
Pax
Toolenburg
Regardless of where you choose to settle, you’ll find Hoofddorp a welcoming and pleasant place to call home.
Why should I consider living in Hoofddorp as an international?
From its international allure to the surrounding nature, Hoofddorp has plenty of things to love if you choose to move here. Here are just six of them:
It’s a growing city in the Randstad area
Hoofddorp is expanding — and that’s great!
Thanks to the many people who have moved to Hoofddorp over the past years, the municipality of Haarlemmermeer is putting a lot of money and effort into the development of the area.
Not only is the town being equipped with new homes, schools, and stores, but it’s also becoming a bustling place to live with plenty of cafés, cultural activities, and an international community!
It has excellent public transport connections to all major cities
Hoofddorp’s location right in the heart of the Netherlands means the town is incredibly well-connected to some of the major Dutch cities.
Whether you have to commute to work or fancy the occasional weekend city trip, Hoofddorp is the place to be!
The Hoofddorp train station is your gateway to the Netherlands’ best hotspots! Image: Hyde Park/Supplied
Want to go on a trip to Amsterdam? It’s only 12 minutes away. How about Utrecht? Just a 45-minute train ride! The Hague? You can get there in as little as 35 minutes.
Or maybe you want to take it a step further and fly abroad? Geen problem, Schiphol Airport is literally right at your doorstep, just a 4-minute train ride away. 😉
Great news! Amsterdam’s North-South metro line is being extended as we speak and will soon go all the way to Hoofddorp! This will make access to the capital even easier for Hoofddorp residents.
It’s a quiet town with everything your heart desires
Rest assured: Hoofddorp isn’t some sleepy no man’s land — in fact, there is plenty to do.
On the east side of Hoofddorp, you’ve got over 300 shops to cater to your every need, whether it’s goodies from HEMA or designer clothes. On top of that, Hoofddorp is home to museums, great nature spots, cosy cafés, buzzing restaurants, and cinemas.
So whether you’re craving a dose of culture or just a relaxed night out, Hoofddorp has something for you to do.
If you’re a social butterfly who loves hitting the clubs every night, Hoofddorp might not be your cup of tea. But hey, if peace, quiet, and practicality are your jam, then you’re in luck!
It offers countless job opportunities at big corporations
Tired of spending hours each day stuck in traffic or crammed on public transport? Then Hoofddorp might just be your saving grace.
It’s not just the residents who love Hoofddorp’s cheap rent and surrounding greenery; companies do too!
This means that plenty of big international corporations call Hoofddorp their home, including household names like L’Oreal, DANONE, Basic-Fit, and NH Hotel Groups.
Not only do these companies help build Hoofddorp’s young, dynamic, and diverse population, but they’re also creating heaps of jobs for English speakers like you and me.
It’s home to a vibrant expat community to make you feel at home
Thanks to the many big corporations that have settled in Hoofddorp over the years, it has grown into a big expat community that will welcome newcomers with open arms.
You definitely won’t be the only expat in Hoofddorp. Image: Depositphotos
People from all ages and all nations come together here, and as a result, Hoofddorp offers plenty of useful resources for internationals and their families who want to settle in Hoofddorp.
International schools? You got it. Expat-friendly events? Of course! A buzzing community for internationals? Jazeker!
It’s surrounded by nature and greenery
Last but certainly not least, Hoofddorp offers something that many other Dutch cities simply can’t match: proximity to nature.
If you look at Hoofddorp on a map, you’ll immediately notice that the town is surrounded by lush parks and greenery, making it an absolute paradise for nature enthusiasts.
Take a quick walk from the city centre, and you’ll find bike paths winding through picturesque Dutch landscapes, waters inviting you for a refreshing swim, and stunning parks ideal for picnics in the sunshine.
Do I need to learn Dutch to live in Hoofddorp?
In Hoofddorp, much like in many other Dutch cities, navigating daily life in English is entirely feasible.
Yup, English is not just widely spoken; it’s also spoken very well. So, rest assured, you’ll have no problem finding your way around your local Albert Heijn, your new hairdresser, and your favourite café.
That said, I would always recommend learning at least some Dutch, as it will greatly help enhance your experience and integration into the local community.
While many locals are fluent in English and more than willing to communicate, learning basic Dutch phrases can enrich your experience and help you feel more at home in little ol’ Hoofddorp.
Whether you’re drawn to the vibrant city centre, the low housing cost, or the peaceful suburban streets, Hoofddorp is certainly worth considering as a future home.
Would you consider moving to Hoofddorp? Share your thoughts in the comments!
The Dutch have always been an innovative bunch with a love for sustainable measures. So it’s no surprise that up to 700 homes on the Dutch island of Ameland will be powered by tidal energy this year.
That’s right! Forget windmills and solar panels, the Dutch have found a new way to keep the lights on — and it involves an underwater kite.
Power from the tide?
Residents of the West Frisian island of Ameland will be putting the sea that surrounds them to good use, the NOS reports.
Using the power of the ebb and flow of the tides, a large aluminium kite, created by SeaQurrent, will use the tides to spin in a figure of eight.
This kite is attached by a cable to a generator on the seabed. As it moves, sustainable energy is created!
Need a more concise breakdown of the mechanics? I’m just a writer with a caffeine addiction, so you may want to take it from SeaQurrent themselves. 👇
Ameland, you sustainable heroes
Ameland has set itself an impressive goal. The island wants to be 15 years ahead of the rest of the Netherlands by becoming CO2-neutral by 2035.
Later this week, they will take a huge step towards this. SeaQurrent will place the kite on the sea bed off the southwestern tip of the island.
If all goes well, some 700 houses on the island should be supplied with tidal energy by the end of this year.
