Is it illegal in the Netherlands to buy, sell or smoke weed?

bloomsby

According to this Wikipedia article on the legal status of cannabis the answer with regard to the Netherlands is as follows: "Cannabis has been available for recreational use in coffee shops since 1976. Thus it has also been available without a prescription for medical uses. In addition, since 2003 it is a legal prescription drug known as "Mediwiet", available at the pharmacy. There it costs more than in the coffee shop: ca. 9 per gram. It is important to note that laws remain on the books classifying possession and sale as illegal, but due to a non-enforcement policy, it has been de facto legalized". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_and_medical_status_of_cannabis Nov 16 12, 6:32 PM

bloomsby

However, that seems to be partly at odds with what is said in a general article on drug policy in the Netherlands, which states that in some parts of the country only registered 'club members [of drug-user clubs, presumably?]' aged 18+ are allowed to go to cannabis cafes. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drug_policy_of_the_Netherlands Nov 16 12, 6:41 PM