Participating municipalities

The ten participating municipalities

The Cannabis Experiment takes place in ten carefully selected municipalities spread across the Netherlands and varying in size. All coffeeshops within these municipalities are mandatory participants and may sell only products originating from the designated growers.

Arnhem — 11 coffeeshops

Arnhem applies specific rules for the transition to regulated products and works closely with growers and enforcement.

Almere — 3 coffeeshops

Almere relies on a phased roll-out with strict enforcement to keep the transition orderly.

Breda — 8 coffeeshops

Breda was, together with Tilburg, one of the first municipalities in the run-up phase. The I-criterion applies in Breda: sales only to residents of the Netherlands.

Groningen — 8 coffeeshops

Groningen has a strong focus on public health and safety and sets strict rules for monitoring sales.

Heerlen — 2 coffeeshops

Heerlen lies close to the German border; enforcement against drug tourism is an important priority.

Voorne aan Zee — 2 coffeeshops

Voorne aan Zee (formerly Hellevoetsluis) focuses on cooperation between coffeeshops and enforcement to safeguard compliance.

Maastricht — 13 coffeeshops

As in Breda, the I-criterion applies in Maastricht to curb drug tourism and to regulate the market locally.

Nijmegen — 9 coffeeshops

In Nijmegen the emphasis is on a smooth transition to regulated products in cooperation with growers and operators.

Tilburg — 11 coffeeshops

Tilburg was, with Breda, the first municipality in the run-up phase. The focus is on optimising the track & trace system and inventory management.

Zaanstad

Zaanstad contributes to the practical test of a regulated chain in the west of the country.