Starting from April 7 next year, coffee shops in ten Dutch municipalities participating in the government's cannabis experiment will only sell legal, regulated cannabis. This decision aims to provide "a clear perspective" to municipalities, coffee shop owners, and growers, according to Minister Van Weel of Justice and State Secretary Karremans of Health.
In a letter to the House of Representatives, the officials announced that the next phase of the cannabis experiment will commence. Currently, both regulated and tolerated (but illegal) cannabis can be sold in these municipalities. From April onward, only government-approved cannabis will be available, which should eliminate the need for illegal supply channels.
By April, seven government-approved growers are expected to supply sufficient products for the program. This new phase is planned to last for four years. The government believes that setting a definitive start date provides clarity for growers to begin full production.
The cannabis experiment was initiated by the previous cabinet in 2017 to investigate whether regulated cultivation and sale are feasible, and to assess the effects on public health, crime, safety, and nuisance. The participating municipalities are Breda, Tilburg, Groningen, Zaanstad, Almere, Arnhem, Nijmegen, Voorne aan Zee, Heerlen, and Maastricht.
The trial has faced challenges, including difficulties in recruiting enough municipalities and growers to participate. However, the upcoming phase represents a significant step in the ongoing effort to regulate cannabis production and distribution in the Netherlands.
Source: NOS News