Requirements for coffee shops in the experiment

Mandatory participation in the experiment

Participation in the experiment is mandatory for all coffee shops in participating municipalities. This is so that they are all subject to the same rules.

All requirements for coffee shops taking part in the experiment are set out in the Controlled Cannabis Supply Chain Experiment Decree (in Dutch).

Standard legislation during experiment

Standard legislation will, for the most part, remain in force during the experiment. For example, coffee shops are not permitted to:

• advertise;
• cause nuisance;
• sell large quantities at a time;
• sell hard drugs or have them on site;
• serve or sell alcohol, or have it on site.
• admit children under 18.

Temporary legislation during the experiment

During the experiment, the rules for participating coffee shops differ from those in the standard legislation in regard to the following points.

Stock

• During the experiment, the standard maximum of 500 grams of stock does not apply. In principle, coffee shops may have one week’s worth of stock on site. Mayors of the participating municipalities are responsible for setting local rules on how the weekly turnover is to be determined.
• Mayors may lay down additional rules, for example, lowering the permitted maximum stock.
• During the experiment, coffee shop owners must store their stock inside the coffee shop. Cannabis that has been ordered but not yet delivered is not considered stock.

Supply of cannabis products

Once the experimental phase begins, coffee shops may buy, sell and have in stock cannabis from designated growers only. During the start-up and transitional phases of the experiment, different rules apply. Read more about the various phases of the experiment.

Record-keeping

Coffee shops must use a track & trace system. This is necessary to control the supply chain from grower to coffee shop and from coffee shop to customer. The coffee shop owner must keep records of the following:

• the type and quantity of cannabis received, the date of receipt, and the grower it was supplied by;
• the transporter that delivered the cannabis;
• stock quantities;
• the type and quantity of cannabis sold and the date of sale.

Application of the residence criterion

A residence criterion applies in participating municipalities near the borders with Belgium and Germany (Breda, Heerlen and Maastricht). This means that coffee shops in those municipalities may only admit and sell cannabis to people who live in the Netherlands.

Mayors from other participating municipalities can also decide to apply this criterion to the coffee shops in their municipalities.

Information about health problems caused by cannabis

The customers of coffee shops in participating municipalities must have access to accurate information about cannabis use and the associated risks. Sales staff will need to be trained in this.

If a customer exhibits problematic behaviour due to cannabis use, staff must be able to provide them with accurate information and, if necessary, refer them to professional care services. Sales staff must therefore:

• know the risks associated with cannabis (such as its effects and health risks);
• be able to advise and inform customers, for instance, by providing them with a leaflet or referring them to a website;
• recognise signs of cannabis abuse and know what to do if a customer exhibits problematic behaviour due to cannabis use.

Information for customers about cannabis use, the associated risks and cannabis abuse must also be displayed clearly in the coffee shop.

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