The Hague Drops Coffeeshop Galaxy Move; Four Parties Demand Answers
A years-long plan to move a coffeeshop out of the crowded Weimarstraat is off after The Hague's new coalition struck the site. Opposition parties want an explanation by October 13.
This story is about the Netherlands — not the country you picked in the header.
Key takeaways
- The new Hague coalition of Hart voor Den Haag, VVD, CDA and Denk struck the planned De Uithof site for coffeeshop Galaxy from its coalition agreement.
- D66, SP, PRO Den Haag and Volt filed written questions; the city has until October 13, 2026 to answer.
- The council had backed the move in 2024 to ease overcrowding in the Weimarstraat, where eight coffeeshops sit close together.
- The mayor told the council on June 23, 2026 that preparations were continuing; building could not have started before 2027.
Four opposition parties in The Hague have demanded an explanation for the cancelled relocation of coffeeshop Galaxy, the latest step in a decade-long effort to thin out coffeeshops in the Weimarstraat, Den Haag FM reported on September 24, 2026 and cannabisindustrie.nl on September 28.
What happened
A council majority backed the move in 2024. Mayor Jan van Zanen wrote to the council as recently as June 23, 2026 that preparations were continuing, including land allocation and permits; construction would have started in 2027 at the earliest.
Shortly afterward, the new coalition removed the Jaap Edenweg site. Hart voor Den Haag had opposed a coffeeshop there for years, pointing to the area's sports and recreation use. The coalition also dropped a planned hotel for labor migrants near the sports complex.
Council approves moving Galaxy to De Uithof and votes 24–21 for a cannabis smoking ban around the new site.
Mayor tells the council preparations continue.
New coalition drops the site in its coalition agreement.
Hart voor Den Haag's Richard de Mos says alternative locations are being considered, without naming them.
D66, SP, PRO Den Haag and Volt have filed written questions, Den Haag FM reports.
Deadline for the city's answers.
What the parties want to know
- Why the site was struck — D66 councillor Marije Mostert says the reasoning is missing.
- What it means for the owner — she says he had invested time and money and learned of the decision from the news.
- What happens to the Weimarstraat — residents had sent an urgent letter expressing disappointment.
Mostert doubts an alternative will be found, since the city searched for suitable sites for years. The municipality says it will look for another location together with the owner.
Why it matters for visitors
The Hague had 36 tolerated coffeeshops at the end of 2024, according to the national count, and the city considers the Weimarstraat and the Zeeheldenkwartier overcrowded. Until something changes, eight shops remain close together in the Weimarstraat in Segbroek, a residential street where neighbors complain about parking and visitor nuisance.
| The Hague at a glance | Status |
|---|---|
| Tolerated coffeeshops | 36 (end of 2024) |
| Shops around the Weimarstraat | 8 |
| Residents rule | Not prioritized under the city's 2021 policy; visitors 18+ with ID generally served |
| Weed experiment | The Hague does not take part |
Our guide to coffeeshops in The Hague explains the city's rules. We will update this story when the city answers.
FAQ
Why was coffeeshop Galaxy supposed to move?
The Hague considers the Weimarstraat overcrowded with coffeeshops, with eight close together, and neighbors complained of nuisance. Moving Galaxy to the Jaap Edenweg near De Uithof was meant to ease that.
Who cancelled the move?
The new city coalition of Hart voor Den Haag, VVD, CDA and Denk removed the De Uithof site in its coalition agreement in summer 2026.
When will The Hague explain the decision?
The city has until October 13, 2026 to answer the written questions filed by D66, SP, PRO Den Haag and Volt.
Is coffeeshop Galaxy still open?
Reports describe the situation in the Weimarstraat as unchanged, with several coffeeshops side by side, pending a decision on another location.
Sources
- cannabisindustrie.nl (source: Den Haag FM) — Vier partijen eisen uitleg over geschrapte verhuizing coffeeshop Galaxy in Den Haag · Sep 28, 2026
- cannabisindustrie.nl (source: AD) — Buurt is verbaasd over niet doorgaan verhuizing coffeeshop Galaxy uit Den Haag · Aug 6, 2026
- cannabisindustrie.nl (source: Omroep West) — Gemeenteraad Den Haag akkoord met verplaatsing coffeeshop Galaxy naar de Uithof · Jul 15, 2024
- cannabisindustrie.nl (source: Omroep West) — Coffeeshop uit Zeeheldenkwartier in Den Haag wil verhuizen naar Laan van Hoornwijck · Jun 24, 2025
- Gemeente Den Haag — Gedoogbeleid coffeeshops Den Haag (RIS308205) · Mar 23, 2021
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