Closed Coffeeshop Chain Experiment
Portfolio

Advocacy

Closed Coffeeshop Chain Experiment

Year

2023 – heden

Category

Advocacy

Status

Ongoing / recent

Role

Representative and advisor: informing, guiding and connecting coffeeshop entrepreneurs, policymakers and stakeholders regarding the implementation of the experiment.

Gathering practical signals and escalating them to administrative and political levels — while simultaneously working on a structural framework for the period after 2029/2030.

The experimental phase started on 7 April 2025. All cultivators are supplying, the assortment is wider, and the quality is generally perceived as good. At the same time, supply does not always match demand, the administrative burden remains high, and track & trace is complex and labour-intensive to implement. The chain is functioning, but it is not yet stable.

From the start, we collect signals from practice and bring them to the attention of municipalities, ministries (ministeries), and chain partners — concretised with examples and consequences for business operations. We exert structural pressure on supply, assortment, administration, and system functionality.

In the news

Related articles & publications

The cannabis experiment is science. Legalisation is politics.

Blog·9 October 2025

The cannabis experiment is science. Legalisation is politics.

After fifty years of coffeeshop policy, we know that regulated sales work. Yet, parties continue to hide behind research.

Tobacco interests must not undermine the core of coffeeshop policy

coffeeshopbond·9 June 2026

Tobacco interests must not undermine the core of coffeeshop policy

Dutch coffeeshop policy is fundamentally a form of harm reduction and prevention. Reports concerning international tobacco interests behind a participant in the cannabis experiment raise understandable concerns — and underscore why public control over the supply chain is crucial.

Launch today: Dutch cannabis experiment officially commenced

coffeeshopbond·7 April 2025

Launch today: Dutch cannabis experiment officially commenced

Today, 7 April 2025, the experimental phase of the Dutch cannabis experiment officially commenced. This experiment aims to determine whether a fully closed and regulated supply chain – from grower to coffeeshop – is feasible and can contribute to solving the structural problems of the current 'tolerance policy' (gedoogbeleid).

Launch today: Dutch cannabis experiment officially started

coffeeshopbond·7 April 2025

Launch today: Dutch cannabis experiment officially started

On 7 April 2025, the experimental phase of the Dutch cannabis experiment officially commenced.

Cannabis Experiment: update on the latest developments and challenges

coffeeshopbond·6 November 2024

Cannabis Experiment: update on the latest developments and challenges

The Closed Coffeeshop Chain Experiment aims to regulate the production and sale of cannabis and hashish in coffeeshops.

Update: postponement of the experimental phase in the Closed Coffeeshop Chain Experiment

coffeeshopbond·5 August 2024

Update: postponement of the experimental phase in the Closed Coffeeshop Chain Experiment

In a recent letter to the House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer), the Dutch government shared important information.

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Next project

Legalisation of the coffeeshop supply chain