The word coffeeshop, conveniently created by the Dutch habit of running words together, has become synonymous with a special kind of coffee shop. These places do sell coffee and have one or more tables to sit and drink it but, their primary commodity is cannabis. The term soft drug is most usually applied to cannabis (marijuana or hashish) because it is not associated with deaths, crime or violence amongst users and is without evidence of physical addiction.[ This distinction between soft drugs and hard drugs is important in the drug policy of the Netherlands, where cannabis production, retailing and use come under official tolerance , subject to certain conditions.These days they are licensed by the local council and subject to regulation. A strict minimum age of 18 is enforced. Coffee shops are not allowed to advertise, so you won't see a big sign saying "Marijuana for Sale". If you don't see a dealer's booth, just go up to the bar and ask to see the 'menu'. You will be presented with a list of the various different grasses and hashes available at a range of prices. In some shops cannabis is sold by weight, in others by value. Where it is sold by weight the prices are per gram. There are 28 grams in an ounce. Where it is sold by value, the menu will show the quantity, in grams, that you'll get of each variety for a fixed price of, say, 20 euros.
