No. And it actually sucks ass.
I travel regularly to europe and I always try to go through Amsterdam at least one direction. It's my #1 very favorite city in the world (for many reasons, the approach to civil liberties in particular, legal smoke, mushrooms, hookers holeheartedly included) and I've spent a LOT of time exploring and playing. The weed first interested me (before I figured out the hookers; another threead), and like many folks I thought going to the Cannabis Cup would be a good time.
I now try to avoid doing Amsterdam during or running up to the CC. Granted, this is just my opinion here, but some of the problems are:
1) The "judge" thing ain't some "we give you tons of weed and you judge it" thing. there might be some "ultra judge package" tour thingy you can wrangle for tons of cash, but the "judge pass" itself is like a conference admission thing.
2) In the weeks leading up to and during the CC, many places run out of their best weed (they're saving it for the cup). You'd think people would stock up (and some do), but many times the selection is crappy. Last year I made the unhappy discovery shortly after landing and eagerly walking out of the AMS Centraal that I couldn't get any Sweet Tooth OR Laughing Buddah at Barney's for that very reason. That's goddamn shame.
3) CC time brings tons of loud and irratating people to Amsterdam, as you would expect. Americans (like me) tend to often be LOUD and obnoxious, especially all drunk & high in such a permissive place (to say nothing of being in the middle of a soft drug 'party' of sorts). Lots more dipshits in the RLD acting inappropriately (falling/puking/pissing on buildings or in canals, taking pictures [followed shortly by a swim in the canal courtesy of a angry hooker-boyfriend], walking in bike lanes and getting shitty when they get yelled at, walking down the street smoking a bong, et al. In particular, I don't like the people disrespecting/abusing the folks trying to live in the city. *shrug* I know you're high, THEY know you're high, and that's ok..but don't behave like creton (e.g., plopping down RIGHT next to a big group of grade schoolers outside in Dam square, whipping out a bong and smoking up -- and blowing the smoke over at em and laughing. )
4) It's hellacommercialized and glamey and tacky at times. It's not like some peaceful hippy festival (though there will be plenty of stinky hippies there) - it's big business. It's sorta like going to one of the 9000 Bulldog coffeeshops (when you should really be going to Pink Floyd or Grey Area or De Kuil) - you'll get high, but you'll miss out too.
5) November is a shitty time of year to be in Amsterdam (if there is such a thing). Occasionally I've gotten lucky weather-wise, but more often than not it's cold and dreary. ymmv as to whether this is a big deal or not, but i include it for completeness.
My favorite time of year in Amsterdam is spring. I'd seriously consider going before (up til late October - though lots of tourists there as well that time of year), or waiting til next spring.
All that said, if you go I'm sure you'll have a great time, especially if it's your first time there.
