Coffeeshops for growers?

[BeachBUD]

I am planning a trip very soon, and plan to stay somewhere in Centrum. But I would like some info about a couple of topics.

1. Is it possible while in the 'dam to visit one or two grow operations? Any info or pointers on how to do that is appreciated. I would be interested in a commercial grow, a "gourmet" grower, or maybe a breeding/seed operation.

2. Do any of the seed companies have affiliated coffeeshops? Somewhere that I can sample varieties that are available in seed form? A place to discuss the varieties' growing characteristics (as well as taste and effects) with a knowledgeble employee before choosing what to sample?

3. Are there any coffeeshops where some cool growers hang out ? I don't need to mingle with the big boys, but finding some smart hobby/personal growers would be a very good thing. A place where I can just listen in while the more knowledgeble ones discuss growing would be great as well.

4. I know there are a couple of pot "Museums" or places to tour in the 'dam. But are there cool places that are not in the guidebooks that I should check out?

[Balou]

1. No, growing more than 5 plants I believe is illegal. IMO there is no way they would let an outsider in to look around. You can however see an impressive grow at the Cannabis College in the RLD.
2. Besides Barney's, Greenhouse and the like I can't think of any shops that have affiliated coffeeshop. There are several shops that sell specific strains from certain seed banks. You can ask at the seed bank or coffeeshop what they carry.
3. Again with large scale growing being illegal find that sort of thing will be next to impossible. Your best bet is to visit during the Cannabis Cup and hang at the expo all day. There are grow sessions as well as several booths that would suit you.
4. Not really, you see what you get. Unless you just happen to meet the most relaxed grower in A'dam, those will probably be your only options.
If you're after grow advice, there are several knowledgeable growers on the board. Read through this forum and start a thread if you have any specific questions. Most hear are eager and willing to help.

Peace

[FlyByNite]

I am planning a trip very soon, and plan to stay somewhere in Centrum. But I would like some info about a couple of topics.

Don't forget to get your dates to me for the Whos In Town page.

1. Is it possible while in the 'dam to visit one or two grow operations? Any info or pointers on how to do that is appreciated. I would be interested in a commercial grow, a "gourmet" grower, or maybe a breeding/seed operation.

The Cannabis College has a nice grow in the downstairs.

2. Do any of the seed companies have affiliated coffeeshops? Somewhere that I can sample varieties that are available in seed form? A place to discuss the varieties' growing characteristics (as well as taste and effects) with a knowledgeble employee before choosing what to sample?

Barneys - Barneys Farm

Greenhouse - Greenhouse Seeds

3. Are there any coffeeshops where some cool growers hang out ? I don't need to mingle with the big boys, but finding some smart hobby/personal growers would be a very good thing. A place where I can just listen in while the more knowledgeble ones discuss growing would be great as well.

Growers do not want to be known, they are breaking the law. Your best bet would be to come back for many years, get to know the bud tenders and owners. Gain their trust and all will be revealed.

4. I know there are a couple of pot "Museums" or places to tour in the 'dam. But are there cool places that are not in the guidebooks that I should check out?

The two I would recommend are The Cannabis College and The Hash, Marijuana, Hemp, Museum. They are only a couple blocks apart on the same street.

I have no idea how long you will be staying. If you have a half a day, go to Haarlem and see what a small town coffeeshop scene is like.

Enjoy
FlyByNite - Travel preference, not business practice
Coffeeshop Menus - Let your Mouse do the walking

[Cal X]

The Dampkring seed shop, which is associated with Kiwi Seeds, has a grow room, I assume it's still there. They're nice helpful lads in there!. Other then that the Cannabis College, as Fly by Night suggested, has a nice little grow room!

[BeachBUD]

Not really looking for advice. For my scale I have always done just fine in quality and yield. This is more in line with taking my knowledge to the next level and maybe finding out what I don't know. Or opening my brain to new ideas. And the "legal" 3-5 plant growers would be just fine. For example, I would never have even thought about something like Screen of Green until someone mentioned it to me.

After this trip, I hope to go take the weekend seminar at Oaksterdam or Greenway University in Sept or Oct. Future career or retirement business ?

But I am disappointed I cant go see a serious grow operation. Where does all that coffeeshop product come from ?

[Balou]

But I am disappointed I cant go see a serious grow operation. Where does all that coffeeshop product come from ?

Again, like FBN and I said they grows are illegal. If you want to see how the weed gets to the coffeeshops have a look at the following thread. https://www.coffeeshopdirect.com/forum/viewt ... +nederwiet

Peace

[USbongLord]

you can see grows if ya knows people.....and some are mindblowing....all i can say is maybe youll meet someone one day that will share a super secret dutch grow experience with you...good luck..and growing yer own is much more rewarding then lookin at someone elses stuff.....get knowledge go grow and enjoy

[SHIVA 11]

Best place to talk to growers in the Dam is growshops as opposed to CS,most of em are quite big growers themselves but to be honest wont tell a stranger to much.I have met some growers over there but, they were guys who i have known through grow forums for years so we trust each other.

[doolish]

growing more than 5 plants I believe is illegal.

Growing ANY amount of plants is illegal.

[Boner]

growing more than 5 plants I believe is illegal.

Growing ANY amount of plants is illegal.

Isn't it any under lights illegal and up to 5 under the sun legal?

[Balou]

growing more than 5 plants I believe is illegal.

Growing ANY amount of plants is illegal.

Isn't it any under lights illegal and up to 5 under the sun legal?

The courts ruled in April that you can grow up to 5 plants for personal consumption without prosecution. The plants would still have to be turned over to the police on an official visit. Not sure about the lights part though.

Peace

[CHELSEA_SMOKERS_SOCIETY]

i heard that under lights is illegal too, but then, cannabis college is under lights and so are the plants in the damkring headshop between rasta baby and central station.

beachBUD, sorry mate, but as an outsider, you will have no chance of seeing the supply side of things. despite the stoners paradise amsterdam is to us, the supply end is still very risky and underground. loose lips sink ships, as they say.

cannabis college is a really good resource for growing knowledge. just pop in there and speak to them about what you do and what you can do to improve.

[Cal X]

you can see grows if ya knows people.....and some are mindblowing....all i can say is maybe youll meet someone one day that will share a super secret dutch grow experience with you...good luck..and growing yer own is much more rewarding then lookin at someone elses stuff.....get knowledge go grow and enjoy

Well put!

[beq00000]

As others have said, it is legal to grow up to 5 plants, and a lot of locals do. If you are lucky enough to see any private grows at all, this is almost certainly what you'll see. Even to do that you'll need to get to know some locals. You're unlikely to have any chance of seeing a commercial grow without getting to know the right people over a number of years.

That said, some advice on how to increase your chances:
Spend time at the seed shops talking to the staff abou the growing characteristics and phenotypes of the genetics that they sell. Ask them to recommend some coffeeshops which sell examples of their genetics.

Get out of the centrum, and spend time at the smaller, more locals oriented coffeeshops. Talk to the budtenders about their product in growers terms. Find one you like the atmosphere, and the budtender. Become a regular at it for the duration of your stay. Try to find one where you can spend an hour a day or so in where it'll be just you and the budtender.

Finally, go on a lot of coffeeshop crawls, and to a lot of Toke and Talks.

Above all be open, and patient. Amsterdam is a very friendly city, but it can be pretty discreet. Be honest about your interest in growing, and open to conversation, and you'll be able to learn a lot. If you're lucky, you'll be given a joint or so of something someone's particularly proud of. If you're really lucky, you'll find yourself smoking up with a master grower. And if the stars align just right, you might get to see a grow.

You don't mention how long a trip you're planning, but the longer you're there, the better your chances.

Have a great trip! Is it your first time to Amsterdam?