The Ultimate Amsterdam & Cannabis Glossary: 100+ Terms Explained (2026)

Amsterdam Coffeeshop Terms

Coffeeshop — In Amsterdam, a coffeeshop (one word) is a licensed establishment where cannabis can be legally purchased and consumed on the premises. This is not a café that happens to sell coffee — it is a regulated category under Dutch law. Look for the official green-and-white sticker in the window to confirm a shop is licensed.

Gedoogbeleid (Tolerance Policy) — The Dutch policy of gedoogbeleid ("toleration policy") is the legal framework that allows coffeeshops to operate. Introduced in 1976, it decriminalises the possession and sale of small amounts of cannabis while technically keeping it illegal. This pragmatic approach was designed to separate the soft drug and hard drug markets.

Wietpas (Weed Pass) — A proposed membership system that would have restricted coffeeshop access to Dutch residents only. While some southern Dutch cities adopted it, Amsterdam rejected the weed pass. Tourists can still buy cannabis freely in Amsterdam coffeeshops as of 2026.

Budtender — The person behind the counter at a coffeeshop or dispensary who serves customers, explains strains, and makes recommendations. In Amsterdam's top shops like Boerejongens, budtenders are highly trained sommeliers.

Menu — Coffeeshop menus list available strains with prices per gram (usually €7–€20), hash options, pre-rolled joints, and edibles. Most shops display their menu on a board behind the counter, a laminated card, or a digital screen.

Green-and-White Sticker — The official green-and-white sticker in a coffeeshop window indicates a valid municipal license. If you do not see one, the establishment is not a licensed coffeeshop.

Space Cake — A cannabis-infused baked good, typically made with butter or oil infused with cannabis flower or hash. Amsterdam coffeeshops like Paradox are famous for their precisely-dosed space cakes. Effects take 30–90 minutes to onset and can last 4–8 hours.

Gruis (Shake) — The Dutch word for "grit" or "shake" — the small bits of flower that collect at the bottom of a jar. It is essentially a mix of leftover bud from different strains. Sold at a discount (often €6–€8 per gram), gruis is one of the best value options in Amsterdam.

Nederwiet — High-quality cannabis grown domestically in the Netherlands. Dutch growers pioneered modern indoor cultivation techniques in the 1980s and 1990s, producing consistently potent, well-cured flower. Strains like White Widow and Amnesia are classic examples.

Haze — A family of sativa-dominant strains that originated in California but became a cornerstone of Amsterdam cannabis culture. Named for its hazy, cerebral effect, Haze varieties (Amnesia Haze, Lemon Haze, Super Silver Haze) are among the most popular menu items in Dutch coffeeshops.

Top Shelf — A quality designation for the highest-grade cannabis available at a shop. Top shelf strains command the highest prices (often €16–€35 per gram) and are typically the most potent, best-trimmed, and most aromatic.

Cali (California Strains) — Strains imported from or bred in California. In Amsterdam, "Cali packs" are premium, often expensive (up to €35+/gram) and marketed as exotic, rare genetics. Brands like Doja, Tenco, and Jungle Boys are commonly seen.

Cannabis Weights & Measurements

What is a Zip?

Slang for one ounce (28 grams). The term originates from the standard Ziploc-style sandwich bag, which holds roughly one ounce of dried flower. A zip breaks down into: 8 eighths (3.5g each), 4 quarters (7g each), 2 half-ounces (14g each), 28 grams total. There are 16 zips in a pound.

What is an Eighth?

3.5 grams — one-eighth of an ounce. The most common single-purchase size in both legal markets and Amsterdam coffeeshops. Typically provides 3–7 joints.

What is a Quarter?

7 grams — one-quarter of an ounce. Often called a "quad." Roughly enough for 14–28 joints.

What is a Half-Ounce?

14 grams (half-zip). A common bulk-purchase size that usually comes with a price break per gram.

What is a Pound?

16 ounces or 448 grams of cannabis. 16 zips in a pound. Wholesale quantity for growers and distributors.

Gram (g) — The standard base unit for purchasing cannabis in Amsterdam. Most menus list prices per gram. One gram typically yields 1–3 joints.

Cannabis Products & Forms

Flower (Bud / Nug) — The dried, cured female cannabis inflorescence — the part of the plant that is smoked or vaporised. High-quality flower is dense, trichome-covered, and aromatic.

Hash (Hashish) — Compressed cannabis resin (kief) pressed into solid blocks. One of the oldest cannabis products, with origins dating back thousands of years to Central Asia. Amsterdam coffeeshops typically offer Moroccan, Blonde, or Ketama hash ranging from €10–€14 per gram.

Kief — The powdery collection of trichomes that fall off cannabis flowers. Highly potent (often 50–60% THC). Can be sprinkled on bowls, pressed into hash, or used to make edibles. Most grinders include a kief catcher compartment.

What is a Concentrate?

Products made by extracting cannabinoids and terpenes from plant material, leaving behind the plant matter. Highly potent (typically 60–90% THC). Types include:

• Wax — Soft, buttery consistency. Made using butane or CO₂ extraction. 60–80% THC.
• Shatter — Hard, glass-like, translucent amber. Made using butane extraction. 70–90% THC.
• Budder (Badder) — Whipped, creamy texture like cake frosting. Prized for flavour.
• Live Resin — Made from fresh, flash-frozen plants. Preserves more terpenes for superior flavour.
• Rosin — Solventless concentrate made by applying heat and pressure. No chemical solvents used.
• Distillate — Highly refined oil isolating specific cannabinoids. Odourless and flavourless. Ideal for vape carts and edibles. Exceeds 90% THC.
• RSO (Rick Simpson Oil) — Full-extract oil made by soaking flower in a solvent. Dark, sticky, extremely potent.
• Moon Rocks — Cannabis buds coated in concentrate then rolled in kief. Often exceeding 50% THC.

Pre-Roll — A ready-made cannabis cigarette (joint) sold at coffeeshops. Convenient but usually more expensive per gram than rolling yourself.

Consumption Methods

What is a Dab Rig?

A specialised water pipe designed for vaporising cannabis concentrates (dabs) rather than flower. Instead of a bowl, a dab rig uses a nail or banger — a heat-resistant cup (usually quartz) where concentrate is placed. The nail is heated with a torch (or electronically in an e-rig), and the resulting vapour is filtered through water. Key components:

• Banger / Nail: Heated surface where concentrate is placed (quartz, titanium, or ceramic)
• Carb Cap: Lid over the banger to regulate airflow for low-temperature vaporisation
• Dabber / Dab Tool: Tool for handling sticky concentrates
• Torch: Butane torch for heating (or battery-powered in e-rigs)

A rice-sized dab can contain as much THC as an entire joint.

What is a Banger?

The bucket-shaped attachment on a dab rig that holds concentrate as it's heated. Quartz is preferred for heat retention and neutral flavour. Sizes: 10mm, 14mm, 18mm with 45° or 90° angles.

What is a Carb Cap?

A lid placed over the banger during dabbing. Restricts airflow, creates a vacuum, and lowers pressure inside the banger. This allows concentrates to vaporise at lower temperatures, preserving delicate terpenes.

E-Rig (Electronic Dab Rig) — Battery-powered device eliminating the need for a torch. Uses a PID controller for precise temperatures (315–450°F). Examples: Puffco Peak, Dr. Dabber Switch.

Joint — A hand-rolled cannabis cigarette using rolling papers. In Amsterdam, typically rolled "pure" (without tobacco) due to the indoor smoking ban.

Spliff — A cannabis cigarette mixed with tobacco, common in European culture. Smoking tobacco inside Amsterdam coffeeshops is banned — use an herbal substitute or roll pure.

Blunt — A cigar wrapper (tobacco leaf) refilled with cannabis. More common in North America than Amsterdam.

Bong (Water Pipe) — A water pipe that filters smoke through water to cool and smooth it. Made from glass, acrylic, ceramic, or silicone.

Pipe (Spoon / Chillum) — A simple handheld device for smoking cannabis. A chillum is a straight tube-shaped pipe from Indian and Jamaican culture.

Gravity Bong — Uses water displacement and air pressure to fill a chamber with smoke. Delivers very large, concentrated hits. DIY devices not typically found in Amsterdam.

Vaporiser (Dry Herb) — Heats cannabis flower to 350–410°F where cannabinoids and terpenes vaporise without combustion. Produces cleaner, smoother vapour. Many Amsterdam shops provide Volcano vaporisers.

Vape Pen / Cartridge — Battery-powered device heating a pre-filled cartridge of cannabis oil (distillate or live resin). Discreet and portable.

Edibles — Food and drink infused with cannabis. Amsterdam's most common edible is the space cake. Effects take 30–90 minutes, last 4–8 hours, and are more intense than smoking due to 11-hydroxy-THC metabolism.

Tincture — Liquid cannabis extract (alcohol or oil-based) administered under the tongue. Onset: 15–45 minutes. Offers precise dosing.

Topical — Cannabis-infused creams, balms, and lotions applied to the skin for localised pain and inflammation relief. Non-psychoactive.

Cannabinoids & Chemistry

What is THC?

Tetrahydrocannabinol. The primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. Binds to CB1 receptors in the brain, producing euphoria, altered perception, increased appetite, and relaxation. Also has therapeutic applications for pain, nausea, and appetite.

What is CBD?

Cannabidiol. Non-intoxicating cannabinoid used for anxiety relief, pain reduction, anti-inflammation, and seizure control. Does not produce a high. The only cannabinoid with an FDA-approved pharmaceutical drug (Epidiolex).

What is CBG?

Cannabigerol. The "mother cannabinoid" — other major cannabinoids derive from its acidic form (CBGA). Non-intoxicating. Studied for anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and antibacterial properties.

What is CBN?

Cannabinol. Mildly psychoactive cannabinoid formed as THC degrades over time. Associated with sedative effects. Commonly marketed as a sleep aid.

What is THCA?

Tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. The non-psychoactive precursor to THC in raw cannabis. Converts to THC through decarboxylation (heating). May have anti-inflammatory properties without intoxication.

What is Decarboxylation?

The process of heating cannabis to convert inactive cannabinoid acids (THCA, CBDA) into active forms (THC, CBD). Happens naturally when smoking, vaping, or baking edibles.

What are Terpenes? — Aromatic organic compounds produced in trichomes. Responsible for distinctive aromas and flavours. Over 100 identified in cannabis. Common ones:

• Myrcene: Earthy, herbal. Also in mangoes and hops. Sedative, couch-lock effects.
• Limonene: Citrus. Also in citrus rinds. Mood elevation, stress relief.
• Beta-Caryophyllene: Spicy, peppery. Also in black pepper. The only terpene that binds directly to CB2 receptors.
• Pinene: Pine. Also in pine needles and rosemary. Alertness, memory retention.
• Linalool: Floral, lavender. Also in lavender. Relaxation, anti-anxiety, sedation.
• Humulene: Earthy, woody. Also in hops. Appetite-suppressing, anti-inflammatory.
• Terpinolene: Floral, herbal, slightly citrusy. Less common but prominent in some sativas.

What is the Entourage Effect?

The hypothesis that cannabinoids and terpenes work synergistically for enhanced effects. A whole-plant product may be more effective than isolated compounds. Scientific evidence is still emerging.

What are Trichomes? — Tiny, crystal-like resin glands on cannabis flowers that produce cannabinoids and terpenes. Give high-quality cannabis its frosty, sticky appearance. Colour indicates harvest readiness: clear → milky/cloudy → amber.

What is the Endocannabinoid System?

The ECS is a cell-signalling system that regulates mood, sleep, appetite, pain, and immune function. Components: endocannabinoids (produced by the body), receptors (CB1 in brain, CB2 in immune system), and enzymes. Phytocannabinoids like THC and CBD interact with this system.

Strain Classifications

Indica — Originating from the Hindu Kush mountain range. Short, bushy plants with broad leaves. Effects: relaxing, sedating, body-focused ("in-da-couch"). Ideal for evening use and sleep.

Sativa — From equatorial regions (Thailand, Colombia, Africa). Tall, lanky plants with narrow leaves. Effects: uplifting, energetic, cerebral, creative. Ideal for daytime use.

Hybrid — Crossbred from indica and sativa genetics. Most modern strains are hybrids. Classified as indica-dominant, sativa-dominant, or balanced (50/50).

Ruderalis — Third subspecies from northern regions. Short, tough, autoflowering. Low THC. Used in breeding for autoflowering strains.

Landrace — Pure, native cannabis variety that developed naturally in a specific region. Examples: Afghan Kush, Thai Stick, Durban Poison. Genetic ancestors of most modern hybrids.

Phenotype (Pheno) — The observable expression of a plant's genetics: appearance, aroma, potency, growth pattern. Two seeds from the same strain can produce different phenotypes. Growers "pheno hunt" to select the best plant.

Autoflower — Automatically switches from vegetative to flowering based on age (3–4 weeks), regardless of light cycle. Trait from Ruderalis genetics. Fast, compact growth.

Photoperiod — Requires a change in the light cycle (12 hours darkness) to trigger flowering. Most traditional strains are photoperiod. Indoor growers use 12/12 light schedule.

Slang & Cultural Terms

420 — International code for cannabis consumption. Originated from 1970s California high school students who met at 4:20 PM to search for a hidden crop. April 20 (4/20) is celebrated annually.

710 — Number for cannabis concentrates. "OIL" flipped upside-down. 710 events mirror 420 but focus on extracts and dabbing.

Dank — High-quality cannabis with strong, pungent aroma. Evolved from "damp/musty" into a compliment.

Gas / Fire — Slang for exceptionally potent, high-quality cannabis. "Straight gas" = top-shelf.

Zaza (Za) — Very high-quality, exotic, or designer strains. Popularised in the 2020s through hip-hop and social media.

Loud — Extremely pungent, aromatic cannabis. So strong you can smell it across the room.

Boof — Two meanings: (1) low-quality, harsh cannabis, or (2) rectal administration (a joke term in cannabis culture).

Couch-Lock — Heavy, sedating body high from indica-dominant strains. You feel glued to the couch. Linked to high myrcene and THC.

Greening Out (Whitey) — Consuming too much cannabis: nausea, dizziness, pale skin, anxiety, fainting. In Amsterdam, called a "whitey." Passes with rest, hydration, and sugar (CBD helps counteract it).

Puff-Puff-Pass — Social etiquette: take two puffs, then pass the joint to the next person.

Sesh — A cannabis smoking session with friends (joints, bongs, dabs, etc.).

T-break (Tolerance Break) — Voluntary abstinence to reset cannabinoid tolerance. 48–72 hours can noticeably reduce tolerance. 2–4 weeks fully resets CB1 receptors.

Accessories & Equipment

Grinder — Device to break flower into evenly sized pieces. Multi-chamber designs include a kief catcher with fine screen.

Rolling Papers — Thin sheets for rolling joints. Sizes from 1¼ to king-size. Materials: wood pulp, hemp, rice, flax.

Cones — Pre-rolled empty joint tubes — just fill and pack. Popular with beginners.

Roach (Filter Tip) — Small piece of cardboard rolled into a tube for the mouth end of a joint. Provides structure and prevents flower from entering your mouth.

Banger (Quartz Banger) — Quartz bucket attachment on a dab rig for vaporising concentrate. Sizes: 10mm, 14mm, 18mm. Angles: 45° or 90°.

Dabber (Dab Tool) — Small implement for handling sticky concentrates. Styles: scoop, spoon, paddle, pointed tip.

Torch (Butane Torch) — Used to heat the banger on a traditional dab rig. Apply flame for 30–45 seconds.

Terp Pearls — Small spherical beads (ruby, sapphire, or quartz) placed inside the banger. Spin when inhaled, distributing heat evenly.

Cultivation & Growing Terms

Pheno Hunt — Growing multiple seeds of the same strain and selecting the best plant based on potency, terpene profile, yield, and resin production.

SCROG (Screen of Green) — Training technique using a net to create an even canopy, maximising light exposure.

SOG (Sea of Green) — Many small plants grown close together, flipped to flower early. Creates a "sea" of single-cola plants.

Curing — Controlled drying and ageing after harvest. Buds stored in airtight jars at 58–62% humidity for 2–8 weeks. Improves flavour, smoothness, and potency.

Feminised Seeds — Bred to produce exclusively female plants (99.9% accuracy). Female plants produce cannabinoid-rich flowers.

Sinsemilla — Spanish for "without seeds." Seedless buds from unpollinated female plants, which redirect energy into resin production. The standard for top-shelf cannabis.

Dutch-Specific Slang

Wiet — Dutch word for cannabis (weed).

Hasj — Dutch word for hashish.

Rokerij — "Smoking room." Some Amsterdam venues use this term instead of coffeeshop.

Mokum — Yiddish-derived nickname for Amsterdam. Means "place" or "town."

Gezellig — Dutch word for cozy, convivial, atmospheric. Describes the warm feeling of a nice coffeeshop.

Koffiehuis — Traditional Dutch café serving coffee and pastries but not cannabis. Do not confuse with coffeeshop.

Labelling & Legal Terms

THC Percentage — Concentration of THC as % of total weight. Top-shelf flower tests at 20–30%. Concentrates: 60–95%. Terpene profile matters just as much.

Indica / Sativa Labels — Traditional but increasingly outdated system. Effects are more influenced by terpenes than subspecies genetics.

COA (Certificate of Analysis) — Lab report documenting cannabinoid profile, terpene content, and safety testing. Required for legal market products.

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How to Use This Glossary: This glossary is designed as a living reference — update it regularly as new terms emerge.