Tolerance policy

The Dutch government has applied the 'tolerance policy' (gedoogbeleid) since the 1970s. The tolerance policy means that the Netherlands tolerates the sale of hashish and weed under a number of strict conditions. All coffeeshops in the Netherlands must adhere to this tolerance policy, which is based on a number of guidelines. If a coffeeshop does not comply with these rules, it risks a fine or even temporary or permanent closure. The government monitors more strictly and with greater regularity than in other sectors. 

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In addition to a national policy, each city also applies a local coffeeshop policy, which is drawn up during the so-called triangular meeting. This triangle consists of the mayor, public prosecutor and the district police chief. That is why not all coffeeshops in the Netherlands apply the same rules. For example, coffeeshops in one city may be allowed to sell to tourists from abroad and not in another municipality. 

 

Coffeeshops in Dordrecht must adhere to the following AHOJGI criteria:​
A: no Advertisement: this means no form of advertising of any kind, other than a brief indication at the location in question; 

H: no hard drugs: this means that no hard drugs may be available and/or sold;
O: no Nuisance: nuisance can be understood as parking nuisance around the coffeeshops, hard noise, pollution and/or customers hanging around in front of or near the coffee shop;
J: no sales to young people and no access for young people to a coffeeshop: in view of the increase in cannabis use among young people, it has been decided to strictly enforce the age limit of 18 years;
G: no large volume sales per transaction; i.e. quantities larger than suitable for own use (= 5 grams). In addition, coffeeshops may not stock more than 500 grams of cannabis;
I: no access for and sales to anyone other than residents of the Netherlands; plus: no sales in combination with alcohol; coffeeshops are not allowed to serve alcoholic drinks (the so-called 'plus criterion').