Amsterdam Central Canal Ring

Stix, Utrechtsestraat 21 (www.stix.nl), Stix is a simple shop—no big smoking rooms with couches and Ganesh statues here, just picnic-table seating and a bright, airy atmosphere. Staff cheerfully welcomes both newcomers and loyal regulars. No separate smoking room for tobacco. The weed selection includes perennial favorites like Amnesia Haze and Bubblegum, while hash options feature some Moroccan varieties and their own house blend. Tram #9 or 14 to Rembrandtplein. Walk down Utrechtsestraat; the store is near Herengracht. Weed €6-13 per g; joints €10, with tobacco €3.20-3.80; hash €9-25. Open daily 11am-1am. Does not take credit cards. No wheelchair access.
Azarius, Kerkstraat 119 (☎048 979 14; www.azarius.net), The physical manifestation of the largest online smartshop, Azarius sits in the building once inhabited by the city's oldest smartshop (Conscious Dreams—for their other outpost in the Red Light District). Azarius is a small and friendly store, with a knowledgeable staff ready to answer any questions about their many products. They sell magic truffles, salvia, herbal XTC, and many other herbs and extracts in addition to cannabis seeds and smoking-related accessories. If you can't find what you're looking for in the store, you can always check online. Tram #1, 2, or 5 to Prinsengracht. Walk 1 block up Leidsestraat and make a right onto Kerkstraat. Truffles €10-14 per dose. Open in summer daily noon-9pm; fall, winter, and spring M-Tu noon-9pm, Th-Sa noon-9pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.
The Dolphins, Kerkstraat 39 (☎062 591 62), This is a fun place to relax amid the vibrant sea creature murals and other underwater-themed decorations. The house special, “White Dolphin,” is quite popular, as are the vaporizers available for free use. One of the rare places where they advertise the dosage of drugs in their space cakes, which strikes us as a rather wise idea. Tram #1, 2, or 5 to Prinsengracht. Walk 1 block up Leidsestraat; it's on the corner. €10 will get you 1-1.5g of weed or 1-1.3g of hash; small joints €6.50, large €8; space muffins €7.50, space tea €7. Open M-Th 10am-1am, F-Sa 10am-3am, Su 10am-1am. Does not take credit cards. No wheelchair access.
The Noon, Zieseniskade 22 (☎042 236 69), Renowned for their house specialty marijuana, Blueberry, which is a two-time Cannabis Cup award-winner. Popular with those escaping the packed tourist spots in Leidseplein, The Noon becomes, ironically, rather crowded as well. Enjoy the Buddha mural, pillows, and D dragons that give the store an Asian lounge-y atmosphere. Tram #7 or 10 to Spiegelgracht. Walk up Spiegelgracht and left onto Zieseniskade. Weed €6-13 per g; joints €7-10, with tobacco €3-5; hash €6-14 per g, ice-o-lators €20-50 per g; space cakes €3.50. Open daily 9am-1am. Does not take credit cards. Wheelchair access.
Dutch Passion, Utrechtsestraat 26 (☎062 511 00; www.dutch-passion.nl), The people at Dutch Passion were the first to figure out how to engineer seeds that only produced female plants, and their tradition of excellence continues today. You can find a huge variety of indoor and outdoor cannabis seeds from all over the world here in addition to the special seeds that are the fruits of their continued explorations into the science of weed. This is one of the few companies that actually advertises the amount of THC in each strain, which, again, strikes us as a good idea. The staff can also help you learn about the finer points of growing your own plants and sells kits to help you along. Tram #9 or 14 to Rembrandtplein. Walk down Utrechtsestraat; the store is just after Herengracht. 10 seeds €20-120. Open M-Sa 11am-6pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.