News item | 22-02-2023 | 1:00 pm
Minister Kuipers (Public Health, Welfare and Sport) and Minister Yesilgöz-Zegerius (Justice and Security) have decided to start with a preliminary phase. This means that growers in the municipalities of Tilburg and Breda are expected to be able to start supplying coffee shops in the fourth quarter of this year. During the start-up phase, deliveries to coffee shops can be started earlier on a small scale in the municipalities of Breda and Tilburg, following an initiative of the mayors of these municipalities. Coffee shops are also allowed to purchase from their old suppliers.
The aim of the start-up phase is to practice with all the processes and systems involved. So that the start of the transition phase can go more smoothly in all municipalities. The start-up phase can start under a number of conditions. Namely a limited number of municipalities: Breda and Tilburg. In addition, a limited trading stock of 500 grams of regulated products, a limited duration of the start-up phase, with the aim being a maximum of 6 months. The start when at least three growers are ready and a stop button to stop the start-up phase if serious problems arise in the field of public order and safety.
The mayors are responsible for enforcing the regulated cannabis that is placed in the coffee shop. Agreements are made in the local triangle to prevent ambiguities about the enforcement regime.
Minister Ernst Kuipers: “Together with Minister Yesilgoz-Zegerius, I am committed to the success of the weed experiment. I also sense enthusiasm among all participants and am therefore pleased that we can take a first smaller step before the official start of the experiment.”
The start-up phase is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2023, when at least three growers are ready to deliver. To be able to start the experiment in all participating municipalities, it is important that the quantity, quality and diversity of weed and hash is sufficient. This moment is expected to be reached in the first quarter of 2024. From that moment on, all coffee shops in the participating municipality will be able to sell legal cannabis. The progress of the growers will continue to be monitored by the ministries to determine whether the experiment can actually be started in the first quarter of 2024.