The coffee shop system
The Netherlands has been at the forefront of cannabis policy experimentation for a long time, including the famous “coffee shop” system in which the sale of small quantities of cannabis for personal use is tolerated under certain conditions.
The Wietexperiment
A noteworthy recent development within this area is the Wietexperiment (Cannabis Experiment), which was initiated by the Dutch government to explore the possibility of legalizing the cultivation of cannabis for recreational use. The experiment involves selected municipalities growing and supplying cannabis to licensed coffee shops, with the aim of regulating the supply chain and reducing the involvement of illegal markets. The experiment was launched in 2021 and is expected to run for a trial period of several years, with the results informing potential changes to Dutch cannabis policy.
Tolerance policy
- GrowerIllegal
- Back doorTolerated
- Coffee shopTolerated sales
- Front doorSmall amounts
- Customer18+ only
In the experiment
- GrowerOne of ten, licensed
- Back doorEvery plant traced
- Coffee shopIn the ten municipalities
- Front doorAs before
- Customer18+ only
Ten municipalities
In the ongoing experiment, 10 municipalities are participating in the ‘wietexperiment’ (Dutch for “weed experiment”). They include Almere, Arnhem, Breda, Groningen, Heerlen, Hellevoetsluis, Maastricht, Nijmegen, Tilburg, and Zaanstad. They are smaller cities by Dutch standards. Between them they represent 79 coffeeshops. Breda, Maastricht and Heerlen are designated as “border municipalities” in which coffeeshops can only supply local residents rather than visitors and tourists at large. Additionally, there is no legally set limit on the respective THC or CBD levels of products; and growers and coffee shops will be responsible for setting prices.
10municipalities
From Groningen in the north to Maastricht and Heerlen in the south. Amsterdam, in grey, is not one of them.
Hellevoetsluis merged with Brielle and Westvoorne on 1 January 2023. It takes part as Voorne aan Zee.
The ten municipalities in the experiment: Almere, Arnhem, Breda, Groningen, Heerlen, Hellevoetsluis (now Voorne aan Zee), Maastricht, Nijmegen, Tilburg, Zaanstad.
Research
Additionally, the Netherlands continues to support scientific research into the medicinal properties of cannabis, with ongoing studies exploring its potential therapeutic applications for various conditions, including chronic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and psychiatric disorders.
Update
Where it stands now
When this story was written, the experiment was still in its trial runs. Since then it has become the real thing.
The growers. Growers apply for a licence in July. The ones who will supply the coffee shops are drawn by lot in December.
First sales. Regulated cannabis goes on sale in the coffee shops of Breda and Tilburg.
All ten. Coffee shops in all ten municipalities may sell regulated products next to tolerated ones.
The real thing. The experimental phase starts. From now on, coffee shops in the ten municipalities may sell only regulated cannabis.
One year on. Ten licensed growers supply the coffee shops, and every plant carries a code that traces it from grower to shop.
The decision. The experimental phase runs for four years in principle. The government plans to decide at the end of 2029 whether regulated growing continues.
Sources: Rijksoverheid, timeline, Rijksoverheid, 10 Dec 2024, NL Times, 7 Apr 2026, Binnenlands Bestuur
Questions
What is the Wietexperiment?
A Dutch government experiment with a closed coffee shop chain. Licensed growers supply the coffee shops in ten municipalities, so the supply is regulated as well as the sale. The results may inform future Dutch cannabis policy.
Which municipalities take part?
Ten: Almere, Arnhem, Breda, Groningen, Heerlen, Hellevoetsluis (since 2023 part of Voorne aan Zee), Maastricht, Nijmegen, Tilburg and Zaanstad. Amsterdam is not one of them.
Is there a THC limit in the experiment?
No. There is no legally set limit on THC or CBD levels, and growers and coffee shops set their own prices.
When did coffee shops switch to regulated cannabis?
Regulated cannabis first went on sale in Breda and Tilburg on 15 December 2023. Since 7 April 2025 the coffee shops in all ten municipalities may sell only regulated cannabis.
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