How much weed are you allowed to carry? Weed and the law

There is a lot of confusion in the Netherlands regarding cannabis and the law. Is it allowed or not, and how much cannabis are you permitted to carry? In this article, we explain the tolerance policy in plain language so that you know where you stand. We discuss the 5-gram limit, the age, and what is and isn't allowed.

Tolerated, not fully legal

Cannabis is officially listed as a soft drug in the Netherlands and is formally not legal. However, use and possession of a small amount for personal use are not prosecuted. This is known as the tolerance policy.

It boils down to the government turning a blind eye to certain things without fully legalizing them. Important to know: tolerating is therefore not the same as legal.

How much weed are you allowed to have with you?

For personal use, possession of a maximum of 5 grams of weed is tolerated. If you have more with you, it can be confiscated and you could still face legal action.

The limit of 5 grams is therefore the practical rule of thumb. If you stick to it, you stay within what is tolerated in practice.

From what age?

Cannabis is for adults only. You must be 18 years or older, and sellers are required to check this. Selling to minors is prohibited.

A reliable provider takes that age limit seriously and makes no exceptions to it.

Are you allowed to grow your own weed?

Cultivating cannabis is, in principle, not permitted. A situation of tolerance applies to the possession of up to five plants for personal use, whereby the plants are usually confiscated without further prosecution.

If you want to play it safe, stay away from growing it yourself and stick to small quantities for personal use.

Coffeeshop and online: how does that work?

Sales via coffeeshops are tolerated under strict conditions. The situation regarding online sales and delivery is less clear: this does not automatically fall under the same tolerance policy and remains a grey area.

What always applies: stick to quantities for personal use, be 18 years or older, and handle what you buy with care.

The biggest misunderstanding

The most persistent misconception is that toleration is the same as legal. That is not the case. The policy of tolerance means that certain violations are not actively prosecuted, but the law itself does not change as a result.

Therefore, know the limits and stay on the safe side. Do you want to read more about the strains themselves? Then check out our overview of weed strains, the weed shop , or the hash collection. That way, you know not only what is allowed, but also what there is to choose from.

Taking weed abroad

An important point that people often forget: the tolerance policy applies only in the Netherlands. Taking weed or hash across the border is not permitted, not even to countries where it might seem tolerated. At customs, this can lead to a fine or worse.

So keep your purchase within the Netherlands and never take cannabis with you when traveling. What is tolerated here is simply punishable in many other countries, sometimes with severe penalties.

Are you allowed to smoke weed everywhere?

Even if you stick to the 5 grams, you are not allowed to smoke cannabis everywhere. Many municipalities have a ban on smoking cannabis in certain places, such as near schools, playgrounds, or in parts of the city center. A sign or local regulations indicate this.

Additionally, be mindful of your surroundings. It is not always appropriate in a home with rental rules or in the presence of children. Therefore, use common sense and respect the rules that apply in that location.

Handling weed responsibly

The rules exist for a reason. By sticking to the tolerated quantity, only buying if you are 18 years or older, and handling your purchase carefully, you stay on the safe side of the law.

Unsure about what is allowed in your situation? Then check the local rules or seek advice. Ignorance is no excuse, so it pays to know the basic rules. This way, you avoid surprises and can enjoy yourself with peace of mind.