Experimental phase of the Closed Coffee Shop Chain Experiment (weed experiment) to begin in April
As from 7 April 2025, coffee shops in municipalities participating in the weed experiment will only be allowed to sell regulated cannabis. The responsible ministers, Minister Van Weel (Justice and Security) and State Secretary Karremans (Health, Welfare and Sport), informed the House of this development today. This date is final, providing certainty for municipalities, coffee shop owners and growers.
A year of regulated sales
On 15 December 2023, regulated weed and hash sales began in Tilburg and Breda coffee shops. Since 17 June of this year, all coffee shops in all ten participating municipalities have been allowed to sell regulated products alongside tolerated products to consumers. After nearly a year of regulated supply, 70 of the total 75 participating coffee shops have sold regulated weed and hash.
Experimental phase
The next phase of the experiment is the experimental phase, which starts on 7 April 2025. From this date, coffee shops in the ten participating municipalities will only be allowed to sell regulated products. This phase is set to last four years in principle. With a final date in sight, growers now have clarity on when they can begin full production. This will allow the supply of regulated weed and hash to be further tailored to demand from coffee shop owners. The fifth, sixth and seventh growers are also expected to be ready to supply in April. This will benefit both the choice of coffee shops and the consistency of supply
Research
The ‘Closed Coffee Shop Chain Experiment’ aims to investigate whether it is possible to have a regulated chain producing, distributing and selling cannabis. A team of researchers, under the guidance of an independent Monitoring and Evaluation Committee, will also study the effects on public health, crime, safety and public nuisance. The research outcomes may contribute to decision-making on future cannabis policy in the Netherlands.