Tighter restrictions are now being imposed on the renowned cannabis-selling coffee shops in the Netherlands.
A significant portion of Holland’s higher-strength cannabis will need to be taken off the market in coffee shops.
High-strength cannabis is being reclassified by the Dutch government, placing it alongside hard drugs.
They cite an increase in the primary active compound, THC, which has heightened its potency compared to that of previous generations.
As a result, coffee shops will be required to eliminate their popular high-strength strains.
According to Dutch politicians, high-strength cannabis, commonly referred to as “skunk,” poses greater risks than it did before.
In the future, any cannabis containing over 15% THC will be categorized like hard drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy.
This decision significantly impacts coffee shops, compelling them to restock approximately 80% of their inventory with lower-strength options.
Marc Josemans, who manages a café in Maastricht, believes that this strict approach is influenced by the rising power of the far-right in Dutch politics.
“You can immediately taste the difference. Anything they find atypical is labeled as ‘left hobbies,’ which they aim to ban under that term, including cannabis use,” he remarked.
As a result, the Netherlands’ long-standing tolerance towards soft drugs appears to be fading away.
Next year, a ban on high-strength “skunk” is anticipated, and police will begin conducting random inspections in the cafés.
Additionally, beginning next year, the Dutch government plans to prohibit tourists from accessing coffee shops nationwide.