Your latest cannabis business info from Europe

Your latest cannabis business info from Europe

2023-09-25

The Netherlands launches cannabis legalisation pilot program

The Netherlands launches cannabis legalisation pilot program

The Netherlands is about to begin an important pilot program aimed at legalising the sale of cannabis for adult use. The Dutch government has officially given the go-ahead for this program, which has been in the works since the Senate approved it in 2019 and will launch on December 15.

Dutch cannabis policy

What exactly is the plan for cannabis pilot program? Similarly, as in Switzerland, specific coffee shops will have the option to sell cannabis products. These cannabis product will come from legal cultivation and will fall under the terms of the trial program. Pilot cannabis program will begin operation in the municipalities of Breda and Tilburg.

Many people might believe that cannabis is already legal in the Netherlands. But it’s crucial to remember that the country has historically worked under a policy of tolerance toward “soft drugs” like cannabis, known as “gedoogbeleid.” This strategy makes it possible for cannabis vendors to operate without worrying about being arrested, giving rise to the renowned Dutch coffee shop culture.

Cannabis pilot program: phases and expansion

In the first phase of the Netherlands program, two authorised cannabis producers will supply cannabis to coffee shops in Breda and Tilburg. For the first six weeks of the program, these establishments will be allowed to buy supplies from their current illegal market suppliers in order to ensure a smooth transition.

The four-year “wietexperiment” initiative, which is appropriately called after the Dutch word for weed, would eventually cover ten Dutch cities, including the Amsterdam-Oost neighbourhood. The government is going to watch throughout the program’s development and any issues concerning supply chain or public safety. The program might finish earlier if serious problems develop. All participating communities will receive valuable feedback and lessons from the pilot to improve procedures and guarantee a smooth transition.

Implications for Dutch cannabis policy

This significant choice follows previous limits on cannabis use in public that were implemented in Amsterdam. The city set them mainly to reduce cannabis-related tourist inconveniences. However, the Netherlands will place itself as the second country in Europe and the first in the EU to launch such a pilot program.

Critics of the Dutch acceptance policy have long argued that it accidentally fuels organised crime groups. They were claiming that mafia can participate in illegal drug trafficking, who are now the primary source of larger quantities of cannabis and other drugs. Thus, the prospect of pilot program and the legalisation of cannabis sales, may ease these worries. It is by higher tax receipts, better product quality, and prospective investments in the cannabis business.

A European model for cannabis reform

This pilot program’s design might be a template for other European countries. The recent legalisation plans reflect the Europe’s growing hunger for reform. However, it’s crucial to remember that at the moment, governments cannot fully legalise the sale of cannabis. It is due to both European laws and international agreements. Germany has to plan legalisation according to European laws. Thus, the Netherlands will need to work with the EU Commission if it decides to move forward with legalisation. They will need to ensure that the law complies with both international and EU standards,

As the initiative develops, it will offer insightful information. It will show possible advantages and difficulties of legalising cannabis for adult use. It may surely impact cannabis policies not only in the Netherlands but also in the rest of Europe.

Related

Heilbronn – another Cannabis Social Club prepares for legalisation

‘Grow Your Own’ petition – support for medical cannabis patients

Austria: new rules for hemp flowers

POPULAR

Dalgety: UK’s first medical cannabis production facility

Cannabis’s Future in Germany