Cannabis and cannabinoids in the Netherlands

Global business and regulatory news covering the cannabis industry

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Daily regulatory updates of legal changes in the cannabis sector, including monthly compilations

11th December 2024: Netherlands: The Dutch government has announced that the next phase (experimental phase) of the Controlled Cannabis Supply Chain Experiment, which aims to investigate whether a regulated chain of production, distribution and sale of cannabis is possible, will start on 7th April 2025. In the experimental phase, coffee shops in the ten participating municipalities will only sell regulated products. This phase should last four years.
2nd September 2024: Netherlands: René Claassen, a member of the House of Representatives from the governing Party for Freedom (PVV), expressed his desire to stop the cannabis experiment later this year via a post on social media platform X, media reports. Previously, he had submitted a motion to pause the experiment until a new Cabinet was formed, but it did not receive a majority vote.
6th August 2024: Netherlands: The Dutch government has decided to delay the next phase (the experimental phase) of the Controlled Cannabis Supply Chain Experiment due to various challenges in the production and distribution of cannabis, media reports. This decision, affecting all ten participating municipalities, comes after issues arose with the supply and quality of legally grown cannabis. The delay is intended to prevent the potential increase in illegal cannabis sales on the streets. The transitional phase that started on 17th June (during which both tolerated and regulated products can be sold) was initially planned to last six weeks before starting the experimental phase, when only regulated products can be sold for the next four years (a period which can be extended).
25th June 2024: Netherlands: In a letter to Parliament, the minister of medical care announced gradual policy changes for medicinal cannabis and the intention to amend the Opium Act. As of 1st September 2024, a new policy will expand the trading of cannabis preparations. The role of the Office of Medicinal Cannabis (OMC) will be limited, allowing non-contracted parties to sell products, but still via the OMC, which will retain its exclusive role in supplying such products to pharmacies. Further changes are expected by 2026, including a reorganisation of the OMC to reduce its legal role further, and amendments to the Opium Act. Currently, a new Cabinet is being formed, the outcome of which is still unknown.
17th June 2024: Netherlands: The next phase (the transitional phase) of the closed coffee shop chain experiment starts today. Coffee shops in all ten participating municipalities will be able to sell both tolerated and regulated products. A three-month transition phase will optimise the quality, quantity, and diversity of regulated products.
8th April 2024: Netherlands: A recent survey shows that 60% of Dutch people support legalising cannabis, while only 11% are satisfied with the current tolerance policy, media reports. The survey was conducted between the end of March and the beginning of April, with 6,501 adults participating in it.
18th March 2024: Netherlands: The government has announced that the next phase (transitional phase) of the closed coffee shop chain experiment starts on 17th June. Coffee shops in all ten participating municipalities will be able to sell both tolerated and regulated products. A three-month transition phase will optimise the quality, quantity and diversity of regulated products.
11th March 2024: Netherlands: Last week, the House of Representatives voted with a majority against the bill seeking to add the district of Amsterdam-Oost to the closed coffee shop chain experiment, media reports. The Party for Freedom (PVV) put forward a motion to pause the experiment until a new Cabinet is formed, but it did not win a majority.
15th December 2023: Netherlands: The startup phase of the closed coffee shop cannabis experiment kicks off today in the municipalities of Breda and Tilburg. Participating coffee shops may offer both legally grown and tolerated products in this phase.
13th November 2023: Netherlands: The government has published an information leaflet for the closed coffee shop chain experiment, which will be supplied with every cannabis product via a QR code on the packaging. It provides important information for all cannabis users with the aim of reducing harm to the health of users.
2nd October 2023: Netherlands: The outgoing Dutch cabinet has decided that Oost, an eastern district of Amsterdam, will be participating in the cannabis experiment as the 11th municipality, media reports. Last month, in a letter to Parliament, the outgoing cabinet informed that the startup phase of the cannabis experiment kicks off on 15th December 2023, in two municipalities – Breda and Tilburg. Participating coffee shops may offer both legally grown and tolerated products in this phase. The start of the experiment for Amsterdam and other municipalities is expected at the end of the first quarter of 2024.
20th September 2023: Netherlands: Earlier this month, the government published the updated timeline of the cannabis experiment, media reports. The new timeline includes the start date of the experiment. As alerted previously, the outgoing cabinet announced that the startup phase of the cannabis experiment will kick off on 15th December in the municipalities of Breda and Tilburg. In this phase, participating coffee shops may offer both legally grown and tolerated products.

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