A Dutch CSC wants to grow cannabis for scientific purposes

The first Cannabis Social Club the Netherlands, on Tree of Life, wants to grow cannabis for scientific research. Since current Dutch policy does not allow the cultivation of recreational cannabis beyond five plants, the CSC is seeking to do so as part of a scientific research project, with recreational use as the end goal.

CSC officials explain their decision on their website: «The Amsterdam Cannabis Social Club, The Tree of Life At first, a a tried to expand the tolerance for cannabis cultivation. However, this attempt was doomed to failure: an official document from the Amsterdam Public Prosecutor’s Office decided to put an end to it. After conducting our own legal research and consulting with leading experts in the field, we have concluded that the purpose of Tree of Life »is not to set up an illegal plantation to defy the authorities, as that would have significant repercussions for the club.".

Meet consumer expectations

The CSC, which was founded in 2014, strives to operate in a professional and responsible manner. Rosaria Ricci, president of the cannabis social club Tree of Life said in support of a local newspaper : «We want to study consumer needs. As customers are well aware, the composition of cannabis is listed and labeled. The research aims to provide evidence regarding the health of the club’s customers. We’re also curious to learn how the process works and how to properly carry out controlled cannabis cultivation.»

With the support of Amsterdam Mayor Eberhard van der Laan, the Cannabis Social Club has asked the Minister of Health for a special exemption from the Opium Act, A Dutch law that has criminalized the use of virtually all psychotropic substances since 1976.

At the time, this law stipulated that cannabis policy should be health-focused. But since the late 1980s, any discussion regarding marijuana has been diverted to the Department of Justice.

If the request is approved, The Tree of Life will be the first cannabis club in the Netherlands to have a controlled cultivation of cannabis for recreational use.

Mehdi Bautier