What would happen if the Netherlands would legalize the cultivation and sale of cannabis? The Ministry of Security and Justice has outlined a scenario for this eventuality. "It should be possible for 5 (very) large growers to meet the cannabis needs of the Netherlands," they concluded.
Picture credit: GGS Structures, www.ggs-greenhouse.com
This number is based on estimates from the WODC, they estimate that the total cannabis production for the current 'coffee shop market in the Netherlands, according to expectation, can be grown on a few hectares (indicative size: ten hectares),
If opted for local supervision and local licensing, the number can increase to 20 smaller growers. "To enable sufficient municipalities the possibility to grant a license to a grower." The maximum number of growers is 100. "In order to prevent the number of growers becoming too high. The experiences from BMC and IGZ, especially regarding the cultivation of medicinal cannabis, are that very regularly requests are received for a license for cultivation, so probably there is a big supply."
The experts also do not foresee that production for export or illegal markets will change if cultivation for regulated sales is allowed. Also, they do not expect that all of the current growers are able to move to the regulated market.