The issue of drug legalization constantly causes discussions in the world community. There are countries and regions where they are legal (in particular, some states in the US, Uruguay), and places where marijuana is legalized only for medical purposes and people go to jail for its use, possession and distribution.
The Netherlands is the only free state in Europe for cannabis products. Prague is called the "second Amsterdam" because of the prevalence and availability of drugs in this city, despite the official ban on their sale.
What are coffeeshops and why are they allowed
Coffee shops are shops and bars that legally sell cannabis and smoking blends made from it. The most widespread such establishments are in Holland.
The existence of coffee shops is often and sharply criticized, but their owners argue their position on the content of such outlets. They sell only soft drugs and in limited quantities, the manufacturer notifies of their composition and is responsible for providingincorrect information. That is, coffeeshop advocates believe that it is safer to buy cannabis in stores than chemical hard drugs of unknown composition from dealers on the streets.
These establishments are the only place in Holland where you can buy and consume cannabis. According to politicians, the opening of such stores will attract some illegal sellers to the area controlled by the authorities and reduce the volume of shadow trade.
What are the restrictions in coffeeshops
The operation of such stores is regulated by law.
Not allowed in coffeeshops:
- promote hallucinogenic substances;
- sell goods to minors;
- sell more than 5g per customer;
- tolerate disorder.
Shops that carry drugs cannot be located less than 250 meters from children's educational institutions.
Hard hallucinogenic drugs are not found in them, one of the ideas of the institution is to protect smokers of "weed" from the influence of drug addicts addicted to cocaine and other hard substances.
Prague and Amsterdam: what's the difference
Many tourists, for whom a trip to Amsterdam is too expensive, wonder if there are coffeeshops in Prague.
In the capital of the Czech Republic, you will not be able to find establishments with a similar name, that is, there are no places where drugs are the only commodity. But that doesn't mean you can't find marijuana in Prague.
Foreigners,who want to know the addresses of coffeeshops in Prague can be directed to emigrants - most often they are gypsies or people from Africa who sell marijuana, mushrooms and other hallucinogenic substances in the center of the capital, near tourist sites. Vendors offer their own items, so finding them is easy.
Locals and tourists who have come to the Czech Republic not for the first time, if they do not arouse the suspicion of distributors, who are often waiters in bars, can buy marijuana in a cafe or club. As a rule, strangers are not offered to smoke in such establishments. Sellers know and target their regular customers.
Due to regular law enforcement operations, distributors are being cautious. Often, instead of a waiter, an outside dealer is invited to play the role of a seller, he sits at a table as a visitor and looks for possible customers.
Examples of establishments where cannabis, mushrooms, amphetamines, LSD and other similar substances are sold by acquaintance, according to tourists, are the Gross club (Anenska, 197/1), the Reggae Bar Lounge, etc.
Due to the fact that compared to Amsterdam, in places conventionally called coffeeshops in Prague, trade is illegal, prices are lower here, which attracts tourists. But it is better to sort out the cost in advance, so as not to overpay street vendors.
Law and reality in the Czech Republic
There are no coffeeshops for tourists in Prague because the sale of intoxicants is officially prohibited.
The law in the Czech Republic says that you can use drugs (this is explained by the fact that a person has the right to manage his own he alth and body), you can also have them with you in a limited amount (for different types of drugs, the norm is set: from 1 g for cocaine up to 15 g for marijuana). However, the possession of a larger amount of narcotic drugs and their sale entails liability, according to the norms of administrative and criminal law.
Thus, if a person smokes a joint that contains more cannabis than is allowed to be kept, they will be arrested, although smoking itself is not prohibited.
