Today I am elated to be able to share the news that I am going to Amsterdam next month to check out a variety of things for my “other” job. I was afforded a last minute opportunity to be able to go to “Marijuana’s Mecca” by my boss, who wants me to attend a big name conference in nearby Belgium.

I am fortunate that my week long stay involves me only attending the conference for two days, and I am free to visit the rest of Europe as I see fit. For me, that meant getting down to brass tacks and visit the city that is most associated with marijuana in the world.

I have never traveled overseas before, and I am equal parts curious and cautious. I obviously don’t want to end up being “that guy” who ends up making a complete fool out of himself in Amsterdam, but I also want to go out and experience the wide variety of things that the cities various coffee houses have to offer.

I am told that marijuana does not come cheaply in Amsterdam, with a gram of pot running from around €10-15. This is pretty up there for me, but I am happy to try it in order to say that I have tried some of the best marijuana in the world.

The decision to go to Amsterdam was not made lightly. Europe has a strong history of great places to go, and I was tempted to go to Rome, Paris, London (to have a pint or two), and Greece. But when all is said and done, nothing compares to the lure of the sweet haze of Amsterdam.

Have any of you readers ever been to Amsterdam before? What should I expect? What should I take? Let me know in the comments section!