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

There is a lot of uncertainty in the Netherlands regarding weed and the law. Is it allowed or not, and how much weed may you have on you? In this article we explain the tolerance policy in understandable language so you know where you stand. We discuss the 5‑gram limit, the age requirement, and what is permitted and what is not.

Tolerated, not fully legal

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

In short, the government tacitly permits certain things without fully legalizing them. Important to know: tolerance is therefore not the same as legal.

How much weed are you allowed to have with you?

For personal use, possession of up to 5 grams of cannabis is tolerated. If you have more with you, it can be confiscated and you may still have to deal with the authorities.

The 5‑gram limit 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 old or older, and sellers are required to check this. Sale to minors is prohibited.

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

Can you grow weed yourself?

Cultivating cannabis is generally not permitted. For the possession of up to five plants for personal use, a tolerance situation applies, where the plants are usually seized without further prosecution.

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

Coffeeshop and online: how does it work?

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

What always applies: stay within quantities for personal use, be 18 years or older, and handle what you buy carefully.

The biggest misunderstanding

The most persistent misunderstanding is that tolerance is the same as legal. That is not the case. The tolerance policy means that certain offenses are not actively prosecuted, but the law itself does not change because of it.

Know the limits and stay on the safe side. Do you want to read more about the strains yourself? Then check out our overview of cannabis strains, the cannabis collection or the hashish collection. This way you not only know the basic rules, but also which varieties exist.

Taking weed abroad

An important point that people often forget: the tolerance policy only applies in the Netherlands. Taking weed or hash across the border is not allowed, even to countries where it may 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 on a trip. What is tolerated here is simply illegal in many other countries, sometimes with severe penalties.

Can you smoke weed everywhere?

Even if you stick to the 5 gram limit, you may not smoke everywhere. Many municipalities have a smoking ban in certain places, such as near schools, playgrounds, or in parts of the city centre. A sign or the local regulations indicate that.

Also consider your surroundings. In a rental property with tenancy rules or in the presence of children it is not always appropriate. Therefore use common sense and respect the rules that apply in that location.

Responsible use of weed

The rules are there for a reason. By sticking to the tolerated amount, 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 regulations or seek advice. Ignorance is no excuse, so it's worth knowing the basic rules. This way you avoid surprises and make more informed choices.