Head shops, cafes, coffee shops and smoke shops

A brand-new world of cannabis-friendly establishments has slowly begun to emerge as the legalization of marijuana becomes commonplace across the globe. Right now the regulations governing these type of establishments vary across the board with the majority of countries still outright banning them. It might be awhile before you see one near you, but if you are one of the lucky few to live near or have the ability to visit one of these rare gems, then knowing what to expect from reading the title of an establishment can come in handy.

What is a head shop?

A head shop is a store that specializes in cannabis and tobacco-related paraphernalia.

What do head shops sell?

Head shops inventory will vary depending on location but if you visit one you can likely expect to find cannabis culture magazines, music, marijuana books on cultivation and history, clothes, and posters alongside a variety of pipes, bongs, dab rigs, roach clips, vaporizers, papers, weight scales, rolling machines, hookahs, and lighters.

What is a marijuana cafe?

Cannabis Cafes are spaces that are designed to be geared toward those who would like a safe area to freely consume marijuana and socialize.

What do marijuana cafes sell?

This one is a bit more difficult to say for certain because the term cafe seems to be used interchangeably with cannabis coffee shops with the most noted difference being that cafes tend to sell some sort of cannabis-infused product like coffee, tea, baked goods, oils, or fresh herb. Some will not sell anything that contains THC but will offer up coffee, cakes, meals, milkshakes, and more to indulge in during your visit.

What is a marijuana coffee shop?

A cannabis coffee shop is a retail space that is decorated and advertised as a great place to get together with friends if you like smoking weed.

What do marijuana coffee shops sell?

Marijuana coffee shops do not sell cannabis in any shape or form. Instead, they provide either a room or an outdoor space where customers are welcome to openly consume marijuana. A cannabis coffee shop menu is comparable to any other coffee shop which includes specialty coffee and tea, cookies, cakes, muffins, donuts, sandwiches, and more.

What is a smoke shop?

A marijuana Smoke Shop is a retail store that carries many kinds of cannabis and tobacco-related gear.

What do smoke shops sell?

Marijuana smoke shops will sell a selection of bongs, pipes, cleaners, magazines, books, vaporizers, rolling papers, dab rigs, and more. Some will sell cannabis seeds and DIY kits to grow psychedelic mushrooms, but for the most part, you aren’t likely to find any actual herb when visiting a smoke shop.

A lot of people assume that most stores or shops geared towards cannabis lovers would have something with THC on the menu but that is so far rarely the case. For instance, many head shops in Europe carry some of the most extensive lines of paraphernalia you will ever see, but they don’t sell any type of cannabis infused products for customers to buy. However, as of now, there are two Amsterdam head shops that are connected to cafes and smoke shops that do keep a little green or a few THC infused products on hand. While this guide can be a handy tool when deciding which locations to visit it is always recommended to call ahead before you leave so you aren’t left disappointed.