News item | 02-04-2025 | 13:00
The final phase of the closed coffee shop chain will start on 7 April 2025. In this phase, coffee shops can only sell regulated cannabis in the participating municipalities. However, more time seems to be needed to improve hash production and purchasing by coffee shops. That is why the sale of Hash is temporarily not maintained in participating coffee shops. This gives growers more time to get their production in order. The responsible minister Van Weel (Justice and Security) and State Secretary Karremans (Youth, Prevention and Sport) informed the Lower House about this today.
Purpose Experiment closed coffee shop chain
The government is currently tolerated the sale of cannabis (weed and hash) in coffee shops to consumers. That means that coffee shops can sell weed and hashish under strict conditions. They are not prosecuted for this. The cultivation of cannabis is illegal in the Netherlands. As a result, it is not clear where the cannabis comes from and what its composition is. The aim of the experiment is to investigate whether a closed and regulated chain of production, distribution and sale of cannabis is possible.
Temporarily no enforcement on illegal hashish
Mayors of the participating municipalities will not maintain the first two months on the sale of illegal hash in coffee shops. At the moment it is still uncertain whether there is enough hash to constantly supply all coffee shops. Sufficient supply is important because a shortage can lead to illegal trade on the street. That is why growers are given more time to improve their hash production and coffee shop holders are given the opportunity to grow in their regulated hashish offer. From 10 June 2025 will be maintained, and only regulated cannabis will be sold in the coffee shops.
Research
During the experiment, a team of independent researchers looks at the effects of the experiment on public health, crime, safety and nuisance. The results of this study can contribute to decision -making on future cannabis policy in the Netherlands.