September 1 marks a turning point for the Netherlands’ ambitious cannabis supply pilot project. From this date, every cannabis coffeeshops participating in the experiment must source both cannabis flower and hashish exclusively from regulated suppliers. The move signals the next step in the government’s effort to establish a fully controlled cannabis chain.
The closed-loop system was first announced in 2022, aiming to replace the decades-old “tolerance policy.” Under that policy, the sale of cannabis in a cannabis coffeeshops was tolerated, but the supply chain remained in the shadows, largely controlled by unregulated growers. The new pilot attempts to correct this contradiction by mandating that coffeeshops purchase only from licensed Dutch growers.
Earlier this year, in April 2025, participating shops were required to sell only cannabis flower from authorized cultivators. However, a grace period allowed them to keep sourcing hashish from the illicit market until regulated producers were fully established. As of September 1, that grace period has ended, and the 75 participating shops across ten Dutch cities must now stock their hash exclusively from the five regulated suppliers who already provide cannabis flower. For the first time, the entire product line in cannabis coffeeshops is legally produced.
The NRC reports that Dutch-made hash products have grown in variety and quality. Still, challenges remain. Coffeeshop owners say customers continue to ask for traditional imports, particularly Moroccan hash, which has long been a staple of Dutch cannabis culture. One owner in Zaanstad expressed skepticism, noting that it is nearly impossible for domestic products to fully replace iconic imported varieties. For many regular visitors to cannabis coffeeshops, the cultural and sensory associations with Moroccan hash run deep.
The political future of the pilot project also looks uncertain. When the Dutch government collapsed in June, the cannabis trial was added to a list of controversial issues. The Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), which initially supported the experiment, now pledges to shut it down and impose a temporary “weed tax” to fund anti-drug education. Similarly, the Christian Union has called the pilot “disastrous” and demanded its immediate termination. Such opposition leaves the future of every participating cannabis coffeeshops in limbo.
Despite political pushback, supporters argue the experiment offers a path toward a safer, more transparent cannabis market. By ensuring quality control, reducing criminal involvement, and regulating production, the cannabis coffeeshops model could set a precedent for responsible cannabis policy in Europe.
For now, September 1 stands as a symbolic milestone: the day when the cannabis coffeeshops shifted from a tolerated gray market toward a fully regulated experiment one that could redefine cannabis culture in the Netherlands.
