The first legal cannabis grower, Fyta from Waalwijk, already has 42 flavors of weed on the shelf. But large-scale production for coffee shops in Breda and Tilburg? For the time being, this is not allowed by the government. In the meantime, every month of delay costs the company about 4.5 tons, says director Fred van de Wiel. “That is why we are going to claim compensation from the government.”
Fyta has been ready for the weed test since March last year, according to Fred van de Wiel. “I have a 27 million euro company here that complies with all the rules and can produce fantastic quality cannabis. But the brakes are on. That is extremely frustrating.”
The government started a weed experiment in 2020. This test with a closed coffee shop chain should clarify whether the legal supply, purchase and sale of cannabis is possible. The new chain must put an end to the current tolerance policy. For decades, coffee shops have been allowed to sell weed, but not actually buy it. This creates a lot of ambiguity in which the boundaries of the law are explored.
Fyta is one of the ten companies that are allowed to supply controlled and regulated cannabis to coffee shops after drawing lots. This also includes weed shops in Breda and Tilburg. Fyta is the first company that has already started growing. Other growers have problems getting a bank account.
“We supply weed that does not contain any chemicals or pesticides.”
The first legal cannabis factory is located on an industrial estate in Waalwijk. This is hardly visible from the outside. Surveillance cameras, high fences and electronic detection and security systems already betray that something special is going on.
There are 43 climate cells in the building, where weed is grown. “In this way we do everything we can to prevent contamination from the outside,” says Van de Wiel. “We supply weed that does not contain any chemicals or pesticides.”
Because delivery is not yet allowed, Fyta is still testing and researching. “We have already made 42 flavors of weed, because nowadays it is no longer just about the THC content of the cannabis, but mainly about the experience and taste. Such as citrus or orange.”
“We are going to claim compensation from the government.”
According to Van de Wiel, the waiting room, where Fyta is now in, causes a lot of stress. “Every month it costs Fyta between four and five tons. We are therefore going to claim compensation from the government,” says the director. “But I assume that we can start supplying the coffee shops in Breda and Tilburg on October 1. Then we have to start large-scale cultivation in June or July. Because before the weed is completely ready for consumption, it will take three months.”
In the meantime, Van de Wiel can only be proud of what he and his 50 colleagues at Fyta have achieved. “Although it is very frustrating that we now have to wait at least until October, because according to government rules there must first be two other providers of legal cannabis.
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