- ID required. You must be 18+ and carry valid ID (passport recommended for non-EU visitors).
- Maximum 5 grams per person per visit under Dutch tolerance policy.
- Cash only in most Dutch coffeeshops. Bring euros.
- No alcohol. Dutch coffeeshops serve cannabis or alcohol, never both.
- No hard drugs. The gedoogbeleid strictly prohibits anything beyond cannabis on the premises.
- Do not transport cannabis across any Dutch or international border, including by air.
About Groen Licht Den Haag
Groen Licht, meaning "green light" in Dutch, is one of the few coffeeshops in The Hague that is genuinely embedded in the Schilderswijk neighbourhood rather than serving the city's administrative centre or tourist areas. Schilderswijk is one of the most densely populated and culturally diverse neighbourhoods in the Netherlands, with a large population from Moroccan, Turkish, Surinamese, and other backgrounds living alongside established Dutch residents and a growing influx of young professionals attracted by affordable housing.
Founded in 2014 by Schilderswijk residents, Groen Licht was explicitly created to serve this community rather than the international professional population of The Hague's centre. The shop's pricing, at nine to thirteen euros per gram, reflects the economic realities of the neighbourhood and the commitment to accessibility. The range of 10 to 14 varieties is appropriately focused for a neighbourhood shop that serves a regular customer base with predictable preferences.
The name "green light" has a multiple resonance: the Netherlands' famously permissive approach to cannabis, the green of cannabis itself, and the idea of permission and access. Groen Licht was founded on the premise that residents of Schilderswijk deserve the same quality of coffeeshop access as residents of The Hague's more affluent neighbourhoods.
Staff are predominantly from the neighbourhood and reflect its demographic diversity, which creates an atmosphere that is genuinely inclusive in ways that some more central coffeeshops, despite their international outlook, cannot quite replicate. For residents of Schilderswijk and the surrounding areas, Groen Licht is the neighbourhood shop.
Dutch Coffeeshop Rules at a Glance
The Netherlands operates under the gedoogbeleid, a tolerance policy that permits licensed coffeeshops to sell cannabis to adults without prosecution, under strict conditions. The key rules that apply to customers:
- You must be 18 or older with valid ID
- Maximum purchase of 5 grams per visit per coffeeshop
- Personal possession of up to 5 grams is tolerated
- No consumption near schools or in prohibited public areas
- Taking cannabis across Dutch borders is illegal regardless of the destination
Flying Home Soon?
If you plan to travel by air after visiting coffeeshops in The Hague / Den Haag, cannabis remains detectable in your system for varying periods depending on the test type. See our full drug test guide for detailed timelines covering urine, blood, and hair testing.