The origins of our vision
The global discussion on cannabis regulation is in full swing. While several countries are moving towards regulation and increasingly recognizing that a controlled market is better than a complete ban, the Netherlands is lagging behind.
Although the Dutch tolerance policy once made the country a pioneer, it has now been overtaken by other countries that have developed comprehensive regulatory models. At the same time, no country has chosen to adopt this model.
This raises the question: is this due to ignorance or a deliberate policy choice? The Dutch industry has remained silent for years due to uncertain legal status, while politics has left the tolerance policy untouched without working on a future-proof regulatory framework.
From local to global
The Recreational Cannabis Foundation was founded with a clear mission: the legalization of recreational cannabis. But with an ambitious vision: to unite stakeholders across borders and create a unified voice for cannabis regulation. Rooted in the proven success of the Dutch model, we recognized the importance of connecting local expertise with international ambitions. We believe that by collaborating with organizations that have shaped the recreational cannabis market, we lay the foundation for the future.
This is why we are building a platform from the Foundation: the Union of Cannabis Retailers (UCR). We work on harmonizing policies and promoting cooperation between member states. We now have a global network, bridging regions, sharing best practices, and influencing international policy discussions.
The structure of the Union of Cannabis Retailers reflects our mission, with dedicated efforts at three levels: national, European, and global. Each level plays a crucial role in promoting knowledge-sharing, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that cannabis regulation serves both societal and entrepreneurial interests.
Board and Management
The daily management of the foundation is in the hands of the executive director, who is responsible for promoting the mission, achieving the objectives, and representing the foundation at national and international levels.
Supervisory Board (RvC)
The Supervisory Board oversees the general operations of the foundation, serves as a sounding board for the executive director, and ensures compliance with the statutory objectives. The RvC is composed of experts with relevant knowledge and experience.
Building a regulated future
The global discussion on cannabis regulation is in full motion. While various countries are taking steps toward regulation and increasingly recognizing that a controlled market is better than a complete ban, the Netherlands is falling behind. Although the tolerance policy once made the Netherlands a pioneer, the country has now been overtaken by others that have developed comprehensive regulatory models. At the same time, no country has chosen to adopt this model. This raises the question: is this due to a lack of awareness or a deliberate policy choice? The Dutch industry has remained silent for years due to its uncertain legal status, while politics has left the tolerance policy untouched without working on a future-proof regulatory framework. On April 7, 2025, the experimental phase of the Closed Coffeeshop Chain Experiment will begin in the Netherlands. This experiment is presented as a significant step toward regulation, but it is not a precursor to nationwide legalization. The experiment is temporary and limited in scope, with no guarantee that its results will lead to structural policy changes. As the Netherlands struggles to find a regulatory model, there is increasing discussion that legalization should come from Europe. Additionally, the legalization of recreational cannabis still faces significant legal and political challenges. In Europe, the Schengen Agreement hinders cross-border regulation, while on a global level, the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs remains an obstacle for countries that wish to fully legalize cannabis. The distinction between medicinal and recreational cannabis is still too often insufficiently acknowledged. Medicinal cannabis is increasingly accepted as a treatment method but continues to suffer from the stigma of recreational use. This results in political and societal reluctance to seriously and structurally regulate recreational cannabis. While medicinal cannabis requires a pharmaceutical approach, recreational cannabis needs a model that both protects public health and reduces the illegal market. Both markets have their own legitimacy and serve different purposes. Recreational cannabis is primarily a solution to a public order issue in the interest of public health and must be approached as such. The Recreational Cannabis Foundation was established to advocate for a clear separation between recreational and medicinal cannabis, as both markets cannot and should not replace each other. Additionally, the foundation is committed to defending the Dutch model on the international stage, ensuring that the 50-year-old cannabis community secures its place within legalization.
Mission
The Recreational Cannabis Foundation is committed to the legalization of recreational cannabis as a solution to a public order issue, in the interest of public health. The Netherlands seems to have lost its pioneering role and is at risk of being completely sidelined in the global discussion on regulation. The foundation aims to change this by defending the Dutch model and ensuring that knowledge and experience from the industry contribute to future policy. By promoting regulation, we minimize illegal trade and create a transparent and safe system in which consumers are protected, and entrepreneurs can operate within clear frameworks. The foundation advocates for a clear distinction between medicinal and recreational cannabis. Both markets have their own legitimacy and should not replace each other. Recreational cannabis is a recreational product, a societal reality that requires a regulatory model that respects both public health and public order. Additionally, the foundation is committed to defending the Dutch model on the international stage, ensuring that it is not overlooked in the development of new regulatory models and that the existing Dutch cannabis community retains its place. The Netherlands has built a 50-year-old cannabis community that must not be ignored in future legislation. The Recreational Cannabis Foundation ensures that this community has a place within legalization.
Vision
The Recreational Cannabis Foundation envisions a future where recreational cannabis is responsibly regulated, and where the Netherlands no longer lags behind but reclaims its leading role in international cannabis policy. The legalization of recreational cannabis cannot come solely from the Netherlands, nor from Germany or any other individual country. International treaties, such as the Schengen Agreement and the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, present legal obstacles that can only be addressed through broad cooperation at the European and global levels. The foundation sees it as its mission to bridge developments within Europe and worldwide, ensuring that cannabis regulation is not shaped without Dutch input. While other countries are making progress in regulation, a coordinated approach that reflects the reality of the market and the position of existing cannabis industries is still lacking. The Netherlands was once a pioneer with its tolerance policy, a system that clearly separated soft drugs from hard drugs and was regarded as an international example. However, the country is now at risk of being overtaken by nations that are implementing structured policies, while the Dutch model fades from the discussion. Without active advocacy for the Dutch model, there is a real danger that regulatory frameworks will emerge without incorporating 50 years of practical experience and market development. By closely monitoring and influencing international policy developments, the Recreational Cannabis Foundation ensures that Dutch knowledge and expertise are not only preserved but also play a role in shaping future regulation in Europe and beyond. Additionally, the foundation is committed to strengthening knowledge exchange between countries, helping policymakers understand why regulation is necessary and how existing models, including the Dutch one, can contribute to an effective and sustainable solution. Why has no country adopted the Dutch model? Is this due to a lack of awareness, or a deliberate policy choice? The Recreational Cannabis Foundation seeks to answer these questions by bringing together policymakers, scientists, and entrepreneurs to combine scientific insights with real-world experience.
Recreational legalization and legislation – Actively contribute to the development of European and global legislation for recreational cannabis, ensuring it has its own recognized place alongside medicinal cannabis.
01
Defending the Dutch model on the international stage – Ensure that the Dutch model is not overlooked in the development of new regulatory frameworks and that the existing Dutch cannabis community retains its place within international regulation.
02
Building an international network – Strengthen collaboration between countries to gain better insight into global policy developments. By connecting policymakers, scientists, and entrepreneurs, a better understanding of different regulatory models and their impact on public health and public order can be achieved.
03
Collaboration between government and industry – Facilitate constructive collaboration between policymakers, scientists, and entrepreneurs to make regulation realistic and feasible.
04
Breaking stigmas – Contribute to a fair and objective representation of recreational cannabis through education and information dissemination.