The Netherlands has expanded its government-run initiative that allows legal cannabis sales.
Although cultivating cannabis remains illegal, in 10 municipalities, cannabis stores known as coffee shops are allowed to sell marijuana from 10 licensed producers.
“Weeds were legally sold here for 50 years, but production wasn’t legal, so it’s time to finally end that crazy, unexplained situation and make it a sector of legal specialty.”
Approximately 80 coffee shops have participated in the experiment, advocating that hope ultimately hopes to end long-standing legal anomalies. Small amounts of weeds can be bought and sold without fear of prosecution in the Netherlands, but they remain commercially illegal.
Bucker’s company, located in Bemmel near the German border, is indistinguishable from producing the surrounding greenhouses and tomatoes and peppers.
But it produces 200 kilograms of weeds a week, making it one of the largest producers in the experiment.
Since the 1970s, the Netherlands has been a pioneer in decriminalized pots since becoming more conservative.
Amsterdam, a long magnet for marijuana smokers, has recently closed coffee shops and has banned smoking weeds on some of the cobblestone streets that make up the historic centre.
Advocates have been driving legitimate growth for years, citing product safety and crime concerns.
Benjamin Selma, head grower of Hollandse Hoogtes, who has worked in cannabis production in California for over a decade, said that hemp quality control is very high.
“We also do full testing, microorganisms, cannabinoids, terpenes, yeast and anaerobic bacteria, heavy metals.
Companies that do not use pesticides and strictly regulate growth conditions are also turning their eyes to the environment.
The production facility acquires energy from solar panels and uses biodegradable packaging.
“It’s also a great opportunity to see how cooperation within the closure chain between legal growers, coffee shop owners and all other authorities involved is making the artwork,” Breda Mayor Paul Depla said in 2023 when the first phase began.
According to Derrick Bergman, the Federation Chairman for the Repeal of the Cannabis Prohibition, the experiment is “a truly a political compromise.”
The plan goes back to 2017, when Christian and supportive parties failed to execute tests after a bill decriminalizing production.
The government will evaluate the experiment in four years.
“A research team advised by an independent guidance and assessment committee is examining the effectiveness of controlled cannabis supply chains on crime, safety and public health,” the government said in a statement.
Selma said he was happy to work without concern about the prosecution.
“I’ve seen some bad moments,” he said.
Coffee shops participating in the initiative are located in Almea, Arnem, Breda, Groningen, Healen, Heleboetzlewis, Maastricht, Nizimen, Tilburg and Zaanstad.
