Last verified: April 2026

Street Dealers: The Biggest Scam in Amsterdam

If someone approaches you on the street offering to sell drugs, walk away. This is not a gray area. Street dealing is illegal, and roughly 70% of street dealers sell fake products — oregano passed off as cannabis, crushed bay leaves in baggies, or dangerous unknown substances.

The highest-risk areas for street dealer encounters:

• Leidseplein — Especially at night around the square and side streets
• Dam Square and Damrak — The main tourist corridor from Centraal Station
• Rembrandtplein — Nightlife district, dealers active after dark
• Red Light District — Dense tourist foot traffic creates opportunity for dealers

There is zero reason to buy from a street dealer when 167 licensed coffeeshops sell quality-controlled cannabis at fair prices. The only people who buy from street dealers are tourists who do not know better.

Potency: Dutch Cannabis Is Stronger Than You Think

This is the safety issue that affects the most tourists. Dutch coffeeshop cannabis regularly tests at 20–30% THC, which is significantly stronger than what many visitors — especially those from countries where cannabis is illegal or less commercially developed — are accustomed to.

If your experience with cannabis is limited to occasional use of lower-potency flower or hash, the intensity of Dutch strains can be genuinely overwhelming. The most common result is a “green out” — not dangerous, but deeply unpleasant.

• Start with one or two puffs and wait 15–20 minutes
• Ask for a mild strain. Coffeeshop staff can steer you toward lower-potency options
• Indica strains are generally more physically relaxing; sativas are more mentally stimulating. Neither is inherently “weaker,” but indicas are less likely to trigger anxiety
• Hash is sometimes a gentler introduction than high-THC flower, depending on the specific product

Green Out: What to Do

A “green out” (also called a “whitey”) happens when you consume more cannabis than your body can comfortably process. Symptoms include dizziness, nausea, sweating, pale skin, and anxiety. It is not medically dangerous, but it feels terrible. Here is how to handle it:

1. Find a calm, quiet space. Step outside for fresh air, or find a quiet corner. Reduce stimulation
2. Drink water. Small sips. Stay hydrated but do not chug
3. Eat something sugary. A juice, candy, or sweet snack can help stabilize blood sugar, which often drops during a green out
4. Breathe slowly and deeply. In through the nose, out through the mouth. Focus on the breathing, not the anxiety
5. Remind yourself it will pass. A green out typically resolves within 30–60 minutes. No one has ever died from a cannabis green out. It will end

If symptoms are severe or you feel genuinely unsafe, the Dutch emergency number is 112. Hospital emergency room visits can cost €150–500+ for non-EU citizens without travel insurance. Get travel insurance before your trip.

Cannabis and Alcohol: A Dangerous Combination

Mixing cannabis and alcohol is the single most common cause of bad experiences among tourists. The combination amplifies the effects of both substances, often dramatically. If you are not an experienced cannabis consumer, do not combine the two.

The classic tourist mistake: drinking at a bar, then visiting a coffeeshop. The cannabis hits harder than expected because alcohol has already lowered your tolerance and impaired your judgment about dosing. Enjoy them on separate occasions until you know your limits with each.

The “Stay Away” Campaign

In recent years, Amsterdam’s city government has actively discouraged “nuisance tourism” — visitors who come primarily to drink, use drugs, and cause disruption in residential neighborhoods. The Stay Away digital campaign, launched in 2023, specifically targets young male British tourists via social media, warning of fines, arrests, and consequences.

As a respectful cannabis visitor, this campaign is not aimed at you — but it reflects a real shift in Amsterdam’s attitude toward tourism. The key takeaways:

• Public cannabis smoking is now banned in central tourist zones (€100 fine)
• Noise complaints in residential areas are taken seriously
• Police presence has increased in the Red Light District and Centrum
• Being a quiet, respectful visitor who follows the rules is more important than ever

Emergency Information

• Emergency services: 112 (police, ambulance, fire)
• Non-emergency police: 0900-8844
• GGD Amsterdam health line: 020-555 5202
• Nearest hospital: OLVG Oost (Oosterpark) or Amsterdam UMC (Meibergdreef)
• Travel insurance: Essential for non-EU visitors. ER visits can cost €150–500+ without coverage