Second phase of legal cannabis experiment in the Netherlands to be rolled out in April 2025

The April 7, 2025, the ‘The experiment with the regulated cannabis supply chain in the Netherlands—which aims to establish a legal framework for cannabis production for coffeeshops—is about to enter its most critical phase.

As of that date, coffee shops in the ten participating municipalities will be permitted to sell only cannabis products supplied by certified growers and will therefore no longer be allowed to sell cannabis through «back channels.».

Transition to the pilot phase

This stage, known as pilot phase, will last four years and aims to determine whether the legal production and distribution of cannabis can function effectively within a regulated framework.

Dutch Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel and State Secretary for Health, Welfare, and Sports Vincent Karremans outlined this plan in a letter to the Tweede Kamer. They emphasized that the goal of the experiment is to assess its impact on the public health, crime, safety, and community nuisances.

Since June 2024, the coffee shops in Breda, Tilburg and eight other municipalities, including Groningen, Zaanstad, and Nijmegen, are authorized to sell both cannabis from legally grown cannabis and from cannabis grown outside of regulated channels. This dual system has enabled a gradual transition toward full regulation.

At present, 70 of the 75 coffee shops in these regions have adopted regulated cannabis sales.

An expanded product lineup to enhance product diversity

The April 2025 maturity date will coincide with the entry of three additional certified growers, bringing the total number of suppliers to seven. In particular, this will address the concerns previously raised by coffee shop owners regarding the’offer and the variety limited.

The transition phase was originally scheduled to end in September 2024, but it was delayed to ensure that manufacturers had sufficient production capacity.

Van Weel and Karremans explained that the arrival of new growers would strengthen the supply chain stability and the diversity of cannabis products, two key factors in the success of the experiment.

The idea of a regulated cannabis trial was introduced for the first time in the coalition agreement of Rutte's third government, which included the VVD, CDA, D66, and ChristenUnie parties. However, implementation was delayed for years due to political disagreements and logistical issues.

Today, political support for the initiative remains fragmented. Among the parties currently in power, only the VVD continues to support the initiative. Opposition parties such as the PVV, the NSC, and the BBB remain skeptical of its merits, casting doubt on its long-term future.

Research to determine viability

To evaluate the experience, a independent monitoring and evaluation committee will conduct research on various aspects of the regulated supply chain. This research will analyze its effects on public health, the organized crime and community safety, as well as its ability to minimize the nuisances often associated with unregulated cannabis markets.

The Dutch government views this experiment as a crucial opportunity to determine whether a regulated cannabis market can succeed where the the country's tolerated but unregulated model has encountered difficulties. As the experiment progresses, it should provide valuable insights into the viability of such a system, both in the Netherlands and as a potential model for other countries.