News
Backgrounds, positions and signals from the Dutch coffeeshop industry.
Recent articles have been translated into English; older articles remain in Dutch for now. For questions in English, contact info@coffeeshopbond.nl.
23 October 2026
Assen neemt Coffeeshop Keurmerk op in gemeentelijk beleid
Assen neemt het Coffeeshop Keurmerk op in gemeentelijk beleid. Een mijlpaal na jaren van onderzoek, overleg en ontwikkeling.
19 October 2026
Rechter stelt coffeeshops opnieuw in het gelijk: Worldline moet buitenlandse kaartbetalingen hervatten
De rechtbank Midden-Nederland heeft de coffeeshops opnieuw grotendeels in het gelijk gesteld in het kort geding tegen Worldline. De betaaldienstverlener moet binnen 72 uur na betekening van het vonnis de geblokkeerde betalingen met buitenlandse betaalkaarten weer mogelijk maken.
5 October 2026
Summary proceedings against Worldline: judge critical of substantiation for blocking US payment cards
On 5 October, the Midden-Nederland district court heard the second summary proceedings against Worldline. The central issue was the blocking of US payment cards at coffeeshops and the possibility of Worldline blocking other foreign payment cards in the future.
24 September 2026
Reguleringssessie: De gereguleerde keten na de eerste vervolgmeting – wat nu?
De eerste vervolgmeting van het Experiment gesloten coffeeshopketen ligt er. Daarmee hebben we voor het eerst sinds de start van de experimenteerfase een…
15 September 2026
We have a new office!
From today the Bond van Cannabis Detaillisten has a new workplace in Amstelveen, including meeting rooms: Startbaan 6, 1185 XR Amstelveen.
9 September 2026
First follow-up measurement of the closed coffeeshop supply chain experiment — Regulated chain functions, no measured increase in consumption
Regulated chain functions, no measured increase in consumption. The first follow-up measurement of the closed coffeeshop supply chain experiment shows a wider range of products, falling weed prices, and no demonstrable increase in cannabis use.
15 July 2026
Record Year for Intercepted Cannabis Followed by Sharp Decline — What Do the New Douane Figures Actually Say?
In the first half of 2026, Douane intercepted 7,894 kilos of cannabis: 62% less than in 2025, but the amount of hashish tripled and the number of seizures actually rose. What do the figures really say?
7 July 2026
Worldline issue still unresolved: number of known cancellations rises above 90
Four months after the preliminary relief judge's ruling, the Worldline issue remains unresolved. The number of cancellations known to us has now risen above 90.
1 July 2026
Behind the term "scarce licences" are people
An entrepreneur may spend decades building a business. What happens when temporary permits undermine the transferability of that enterprise? BCD wrote to the House of Representatives.
10 June 2026
European Drug Report 2026 – cannabis in Europe
EUDA published the European Drug Report 2026. Cannabis remains the most used illicit drug in Europe. The report describes an increasingly diverse market, risks surrounding high-potency products and semi-synthetic cannabinoids, and explicitly mentions the Netherlands regarding cannabis seizures, dismantled production sites, and the closed coffeeshop supply chain experiment.
9 June 2026
Tobacco interests must not undermine the core of Dutch coffeeshop policy
Dutch coffeeshop policy is at its core a form of harm reduction and prevention. Reports of international tobacco interests behind a participant in the closed cannabis chain experiment raise understandable concerns — and underline why public oversight of the supply chain is essential.
3 June 2026
Amsterdam coalition agreement: the residence criterion will not be introduced
The new coalition agreement of PRO Amsterdam and D66 Amsterdam states explicitly that the residence criterion (i-criterium) will not be introduced. For coffeeshops in Amsterdam, this is the most important passage in the agreement.
25 May 2026
Existing agreements on synthetic cannabinoids remain in force
Recent reports have circulated about blue-coloured hashish allegedly found to contain a synthetic cannabinoid. After contact with the Trimbos Institute, the existing approach remains in force: take signals seriously, but be careful with conclusions.
1 April 2026
Since the Council of State's ruling, it is not the licence duration but the mayor's authority that has been curtailed
Municipalities increasingly claim that, since the rulings on Apeldoorn (2023) and Heerlen (2025), they are obliged to limit the duration of coffeeshop licences and to apply a scarce-licence regime. That reasoning is incomplete.
30 March 2026
Regulation session on 13 May on next steps after the experiment
What happens after the closed cannabis chain experiment? A regulation session on 13 May will look at the limited time for follow-up and the need for timely preparation.
6 March 2026
Court prohibits Worldline from terminating agreements with coffeeshops
The Preliminary Relief Judge in Utrecht prohibits Worldline from terminating the agreements with the coffeeshops involved. Worldline's grounds for termination, namely that its (acquiring) bank no longer wishes to accept the processing of transactions from Dutch coffeeshops, are rejected.
4 March 2026
No less than 66% of city centre entrepreneurs report a decrease in turnover
While the public debate suggests that visitor numbers are increasing, city centre entrepreneurs report fewer customers and a 66% decrease in turnover. Ipsos I&O conducted research for the BCD (Jan–Feb 2026) to determine whether the type of tourist has changed and whether policies regarding crowds and liveability are influencing visits and spending according to entrepreneurs.
13 February 2026
No individual objection, yet collective termination
The lawsuit against Worldline revolves around a fundamental and simultaneously very practical question: can a payment service provider terminate an entire sector while acknowledging that no individual objections exist against the entrepreneurs involved? On 20 November, several coffeeshops received a termination letter ending their debit card processing contracts. This termination was not based on co
12 February 2026
Amsterdam does indeed have a choice; choose a city in balance
The lawsuit brought by the Stichting Amsterdam heeft een Keuze against the municipality of Amsterdam revolves around the question of how the city should handle tourism pressure and liveability. The Foundation asserts that the municipality, based on the Tourism in Balance Ordinance, is obliged to take measures to reduce tourism and nuisance.
4 February 2026
Cannabis consumption remains stable, decreases among youngest adults, resulting in an older user group
The latest figures from the Nationale Drug Monitor (NDM, 2026 edition) provide a comprehensive and factual overview of cannabis consumption in the Netherlands. In 2024, 6.9% of adults (18+) consumed cannabis in the past year. This equates to approximately 980,000 adults.
2 February 2026
Parties claiming to want legalisation must now deliver
Recently, hospitality entrepreneurs received invoices from the Horeca Ontwikkel Platform (HOP). These invoices came unexpectedly for many entrepreneurs, leading to immediate questions regarding their origin, the obligation, and the manner in which this was introduced sector-wide.
24 January 2026
Received invoices from HOP? What you need to know as a hospitality entrepreneur
Recently, hospitality entrepreneurs have been receiving invoices from the Horeca Ontwikkel Platform (HOP). These invoices came unexpectedly for many entrepreneurs, leading to immediate questions regarding their origin, the obligation to pay, and the manner in which this was introduced sector-wide.
10 October 2025
Trimbos: risks increase outside the coffeeshop – not within
The Trimbos-instituut recently published the results of the interpretation session on problematic cannabis use, commissioned by the National Rapporteur on Addictions. The report is based on national figures from the Nationale Drug Monitor (NDM), the LADIS register (National Alcohol and Drug Information System), and interviews with experts from care, prevention, and policy.
1 September 2025
‘What is Nederhasj?’ campaign against ignorance and ...
The Verbond voor Opheffing van het Cannabisverbod (VOC) foundation sent posters for the ‘What is Nederhasj?’ campaign to all coffeeshops participating in the wietexperiment this week. The website of the same name had already been online for some time.
21 July 2025
100 days until the elections: will the coffeeshop model survive?
On 29 October 2025, the Netherlands will head to the polls again. For the coffeeshop sector, these elections are more important than ever. The new cabinet will decide on future coffeeshop policy. They will oversee the evaluation of the closed coffeeshop supply chain experiment and, based on that, determine whether the Netherlands truly opts for national regulation or not.
26 June 2025
New elections: Cannabis experiment declared controversial
The House of Representatives has officially declared the cannabis experiment controversial. This means that the current cabinet will no longer take political decisions regarding this matter. The planned debate on 3 July will therefore not take place. More importantly: this also means the experiment cannot be terminated. A demissionary cabinet may not initiate a change of course or shut down the experiment. This offers protection and time.
12 June 2025
European Drug Report 2025 (EUDA)
On 5 June 2025, the EU Drugs Agency (EUDA) published the annual European Drug Report. The report contains data up to the end of 2024 and confirms: cannabis remains the most widely used illegal drug in Europe.
7 April 2025
Starting today: Dutch cannabis experiment officially commenced
Today, on 7 April 2025, the experimental phase of the Dutch cannabis experiment has officially commenced. This experiment is intended to determine whether a fully closed and regulated chain – from grower to coffeeshop – is possible and can contribute to solving the structural problems of the current tolerance policy.
17 March 2025
Cabinet adheres to start of closed coffeeshop supply chain experiment on 7 April
The cabinet is sticking to the planned start date of 7 April 2025 for the closed coffeeshop supply chain experiment. Despite ongoing concerns from coffeeshop owners, growers, and local officials, State Secretary Ingrid Coenradi acknowledges that the situation is “very tense” and that “start-up problems are inevitable.”
13 March 2025
Start date unclear, political uncertainty starts cannabis experiment
Entrepreneurs still without clarity regarding the April 7 start date. The House of Representatives has revisited the closed coffeeshop supply chain experiment in recent weeks, with the central question being whether the April 7 start date remains feasible.
11 December 2024
Definitive start date for experimentation phase set: 7 April 2025
The experimentation phase of the closed coffeeshop supply chain experiment (cannabis experiment) will start on 7 April 2025. From this date, coffeeshops in the ten participating municipalities will only be permitted to sell regulated cannabis products.
6 November 2024
Cannabis experiment: update on the latest developments and challenges
The closed coffeeshop supply chain experiment aims to regulate the production and sale of cannabis and hashish in coffeeshops. In the Letter to Parliament of December 2022, it was announced that a startup phase is expected to begin in Breda and Tilburg in late 2024.
4 November 2024
Research report on international cannabis policy presented to House of Representatives
On 8 October 2024, the WODC presented the report “International developments in cannabis policy for recreational use” to the House of Representatives on behalf of the Ministries of Justice and Security (JenV) and Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS).
5 August 2024
Update: Postponement of the Experimental Phase in the Closed Coffeeshop Supply Chain Experiment
In a recent letter to the House of Representatives, the Dutch government shared important information regarding the closed coffeeshop supply chain experiment. The experiment, currently in the transitional phase, is running in ten participating municipalities. During this phase, regulated cannabis products are sold alongside tolerated products.
24 June 2024
Why coffeeshops are exempt from scarce rights
On 29 October 2025, we will go to the polls again in the Netherlands. For the coffeeshop sector, these elections are more important than ever. The new cabinet will decide on future coffeeshop policy. They will oversee the evaluation of the closed coffeeshop supply chain experiment, and based on that, will determine whether the Netherlands truly chooses national regulation or not.
21 June 2024
Update: start of transition phase in closed coffeeshop supply chain experiment
Recently, the Dutch government published an important update regarding the closed coffeeshop supply chain experiment. This letter informs the House of Representatives about the progress of the experiment, which is currently in the start-up phase in Breda and Tilburg. As of 17 June, the transition phase has commenced, involving all ten participating municipalities. This update provides insight into the current status.
17 May 2024
The 2024 – 2028 coalition agreement; the impact on coffeeshop policy
The coalition agreement, concluded by the coalition parties PVV, VVD, NSC, and BBB, may contain few words about coffeeshops, but it nevertheless contains a number of important provisions regarding drug policy in the Netherlands. Although the agreement proposes no specific changes to coffeeshop policy and the closed coffeeshop supply chain experiment, implications are to be expected based on the general direction...
14 May 2024
Regulation of cannabis in Germany: facts and misunderstandings
There is a lot of confusion and misinformation in the media regarding the status of cannabis regulation in Germany. Although there is frequent talk of “legalisation”, it is important to understand that cannabis in Germany has not been fully legalised, but decriminalised. Below is a detailed overview of what the new regulations entail since 1 April 2024, and what will change from 1 July 2024
25 April 2024
The Unreachable Promise of Cannabis Legalisation
The Trimbos-instituut recently published the results of the interpretation session on problematic cannabis use, commissioned by the National Rapporteur on Addictions. The report is based on national figures from the Nationale Drug Monitor (NDM), the LADIS register (National Alcohol and Drug Information System) and interviews with experts from care, prevention and policy.
17 September 2023
Has the time bomb under coffeeshops stopped ticking this week?
“Time bomb under coffeeshops stops ticking this week... or explodes”, wrote Derrick Bergman (VOC) on 12 September 2023. A day later, it happened. The Administrative Jurisdiction Division of the Council of State (hereafter referred to as the Division) delivered judgment yesterday in two cases concerning coffeeshops. The cases are set in Roermond and Apeldoorn.
21 March 2022
Coffeeshops and banks; a one-sided marriage?
The relationship between coffeeshops and banks remains a topic of discussion. The relationship between the two resembles a one-sided marriage. With the tightening of the Wwft (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Prevention Act), the relationship has deteriorated, and Corona added another layer of difficulty.
21 March 2021
Three women, one mission, different paths. Or not?
It has been almost eighteen months since I became chair, then still interim, of the Bond van Cannabis Detaillisten. My mission, however—normalising and legalising cannabis—existed long before that. During my interview in the Cannastembus, Derreck Bergman noted that it is remarkable that the first female mayor of Amsterdam coincides with the first female chair of the
6 February 2021
Towards a manageable cannabis market in Amsterdam
A critical commentary on the management plan of the Amsterdam Triangle. The management plan describes its objective as follows: Realising a manageable Amsterdam cannabis market, in which there is a better separation of the hard drugs and soft drugs markets, not only at the front-end (for the consumer) but also at the back-end.
5 February 2021
“Coffeeshops undermine the legitimate society”
The new mantra of the Amsterdam Triangle. On Thursday 28 January, the city council provided comments on the management plan presented to the council by Amsterdam Mayor Halsema (read: the Triangle) on 8 January.
12 November 2020
Simone van Breda on women in the cannabis industry
Simone van Breda is a representative of THE BULLDOG and chair of the Bond van Cannabis Detaillisten. It remains remarkable that an industry that is about femininity like no other is so dominated by men. Nevertheless, there are women active in the cannabis industry. From leading a coffeeshop to committing to cannabis legalisation and cannabis rights.
24 September 2020
New impulse for warning campaign IGNORE STREETDEALERS
Since the end of the lockdown, the public domain has become busier again with tourists, day-trippers and nightlife crowds, with the street dealer guild also waking up in the shadows. With all the misery that entails.
19 August 2020
The I-criterion, the Trojan Horse and not just for the Amsterdam city centre
Following the Lockdown, crowds have returned to the public domain with tourists, day-trippers, and nightlife crowds, accompanied in the shadows by the street dealer guild that has woken up again. With all the misery that entails.
27 July 2020
Spread coffeeshops throughout the city and save tourism
After the corona crisis, it did not remain quiet for long in the Amsterdam city centre. Immediately after the end of the lockdown, deserted streets were transformed into a pleasant hustle and bustle by the first tourists. Now that the borders are opening again, the city centre is filling up at a rapid pace.
22 July 2020
The "Amsterdam Tourism Nuisance" Debate
The VVD in Amsterdam wants to reduce the number of coffeeshops and deny access to foreigners in the fight against tourism nuisance. (VOC) Columnist Mario Zwart is agitated. Yes, I too am annoyed by the overcrowded centre of Amsterdam. Bachelor parties with fake penises, drunk Brits, pushy Chinese tourists, loud Italians consuming cannabis, swaying Spaniards on rental bikes: it drives you
17 July 2020
Coffeeshops, an Amsterdam export product
In the discussion on how to make Amsterdam's city centre future-proof for everyone who lives, works, or otherwise stays there, the focus remains time and again on tackling drugs and drug use to improve the living environment.
16 July 2020
Institutionalised stigma on drugs, drug use and coffeeshops
After the relaxation of the lockdown measures, Amsterdam city centre is again busier with day trippers and tourists. Here is a passage from an article in de Volkskrant from a few weeks ago;
28 May 2020
Taken by the Bank
Some banks categorically refuse every form of financial services to coffeeshops. What are the arguments used to refuse or terminate bank accounts? What reasons do banks have to treat the cannabis sector as the new pariah? And finally: What can you do about this? Mr. Maurice Veldman explains.
26 March 2020
Coffeeshops in times of Corona
The corona crisis shows what happens to Amsterdam if tourists are banned from the city centre, as the city council is considering via the resuscitation of the residents-only criterion for coffeeshop customers. Mr. Maurice Veldman argues for the recognition of the social importance of the cannabis sector.
21 March 2020
Corona and Coffeeshops
Making decisions under immense pressure in the fight against the Coronavirus is a hell of a job. Decisions made can turn out to be counterproductive. As was evident this week with the closure of coffeeshops, which in one fell swoop undermined one of the most important pillars of Dutch drug policy; the separation of the sale of soft drugs from that of hard drugs.
29 January 2020
A search for low-value tourism and nuisance
Concerns regarding the quality of the living environment in Amsterdam's city centre have enjoyed a high degree of public and political interest for decades.
19 February 2019
THC – report 2017-2018
The average THC content in the most popular Dutch cannabis sold in coffeeshops (16.8%) is equal to last year. Looking back further, a slight increase can be seen over the last 5 years.
6 July 2018
Cannabis experiment measures effect on crime, safety, public nuisance, and public health
The report by the Advisory Committee on the Closed Cannabis Chain Experiment provides the cabinet with concrete tools for the elaboration of the experiment with cannabis cultivation for recreational use in the closed coffeeshop supply chain. On the proposal of Minister Bruins for Medical Care and Sport and Minister Grapperhaus of Justice and Security, the Council of Ministers has decided to set up the cannabis cultivation experiment in such a way that...
29 June 2018
Further report on Council of State advice regarding administrative sanctions
On 13 July 2015, the Advisory Division of the Council of State submitted unsolicited advice on the relationship between sanction systems in administrative law and criminal law. This advice was made public under the responsibility of the then Minister of Security and Justice by publication in the Government Gazette on 14 September 2015.
29 June 2018
Letter to Parliament regarding reports on cannabis use
Minister Bruins (Medical Care and Sport) is sending several reports in the field of cannabis to the House of Representatives. These include a report from the Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu (RIVM) and three reports from the Trimbos Instituut. He also provides his policy response to these reports.
19 June 2018
WODC response following the report of WODC Investigation Committee III
On 19 June 2018, the WODC Investigation Committee III presented its report to the Minister of Justice and Security (JenV). It concerns the manner in which the internal complaint regarding the influencing of WODC investigations was handled in 2016.
1 June 2018
Report of a Written Consultation (VSO) regarding the VSO exploration of medicinal cannabis
The standing committee for Health, Welfare and Sport has submitted a number of questions to the Minister for Medical Care and Sport regarding the letter of 27 February 2018 concerning the exploration of medicinal cannabis (Parliamentary Paper 29 477, no. 470).
31 May 2018
Response to Parliamentary questions following the installation of the Advisory Committee for the cannabis cultivation experiment
Ministers Grapperhaus (J&V) and Bruins (VWS) sent a written response to the House on 30 May following the consultation on the closed coffeeshop supply chain experiment. The text and the answers to the questions are provided below.
3 February 2018
Application for participation in regulated cannabis cultivation experiment under conditions
Mayor van Aartsen has informed Minister Grapperhaus of this in writing. Amsterdam cannot meet the set condition — enforcing the resident criterion — in view of the negative effects on public order and safety. The Mayor's response was presented for notification during the AZ Council Committee meeting last Thursday, 1 February (agenda item 16).
25 January 2018
National Drug Monitor 2017 – WODC and the Trimbos Instituut
Below follows a description of the latest developments from the 2017 Annual Report. Tables 1a and 1b provide an overview of the latest figures on substance use and drug crime. The full report can be downloaded via the link below.
21 December 2017
Cabinet letter regarding measures following the Nieuwsuur broadcast on the WODC on 6 December
Following the Christmas recess, the House of Representatives wishes to hold a debate on the independence of the research institute WODC. The cabinet therefore sent a letter regarding the review of WODC studies prior to the General Consultation on Coffeeshops of 20 December last.
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