The Union of Cannabis Retailers
The Recreational Cannabis Foundation is committed to the legalization of recreational cannabis and the promotion of responsible regulation. From this foundation, we established the platform Union of Cannabis Retailers (UCR). The UCR specifically focuses on fostering collaboration within the sector and representing the interests of cannabis retailers and other industry partners.
Starting at the national level, we are building strong foundations by collaborating with Dutch organizations that have shaped the recreational cannabis market. From there, we expanded into Europe, with the goal of harmonizing policies and promoting cooperation between member states.
The structure reflects our vision, with efforts on 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. While each division has a unique focus, they all work under a common vision: to promote recreational cannabis regulation as a solution to societal challenges and to strengthen the voices of local organizations on international platforms.
The Union of Cannabis Retailers (UCR) is the platform that connects these efforts, ensuring that local expertise contributes to global progress and that international developments benefit local stakeholders.
We shape the future together
Our success depends on the collaboration and contributions of retailers, businesses, and stakeholders who share our mission.
By joining the UCR, you not only support the foundation’s efforts to create a safer and more sustainable future for cannabis regulation, but you also actively contribute to shaping a professional and transparent industry.
Join today
By becoming a part of UCR, you contribute to a mission that prioritizes public health, public order, and sustainable markets. Join us today to help drive change and create a regulated future for recreational cannabis.
Advance the mission
Your contribution directly supports UCR’s ability to remain independent and focused on advocating for effective cannabis policies. By supporting UCR, you help build a professional, safe, and regulated recreational cannabis industry.
Value for the industry
Members and partners benefit from UCR’s international network and influence, which helps open markets and foster stability. Together, we create policies that prioritize public health and sustainable solutions.
Transparency and recognition
UCR operates with full transparency, providing regular updates on the impact of your contributions. Your involvement showcases your commitment to societal progress and industry responsibility.
-
International representation: Represent national interests in global and European discussions to ensure the unique challenges and successes of the recreational cannabis market in the Netherlands are understood and considered.
-
Knowledge sharing: Act as a conduit for sharing best practices, data, and experiences from the Netherlands with international stakeholders, contributing to broader discussions on cannabis regulation.
-
Non-Interference: Respect the autonomy of national organizations by not engaging in local operations. Instead, UCR NL focuses on amplifying their voices and showcasing their expertise on the international stage.
-
Bridging local to global: Ensure that the lessons learned from national regulatory systems are integrated into international policymaking processes.
UCR NL: Amplifying local expertise
-
Policy advocacy: Advocate for consistent and cohesive recreational cannabis regulations across Europe by engaging with European institutions such as the European Parliament and European Commission.
-
Facilitating collaboration: Act as a platform where member states can exchange knowledge, share data, and collaborate on regulatory approaches to create more aligned policies.
-
Supporting national missions: Represent the missions and expertise of national organizations at a European level, ensuring their work informs broader policy discussions.
-
European initiatives: Drive joint initiatives, such as pan-European research projects, educational campaigns, and policy recommendations, to strengthen the case for recreational cannabis regulation.
-
Harmonization: Promote regulatory frameworks that balance the diverse needs of member states while fostering cooperation and mutual respect.
UCR EU: Building a unified European voice
-
Bridging continents: Facilitate collaboration between regions, ensuring that diverse regulatory experiences contribute to a more unified and effective global cannabis policy.
-
Knowledge exchange: Serve as a hub for sharing research, best practices, and industry insights across continents, strengthening the international dialogue on cannabis regulation.
-
Supporting regional development: Encourage cooperation between established and emerging cannabis markets, fostering sustainable growth and regulatory alignment worldwide.
-
Integrating local expertise into global solutions: Ensure that insights from different regulatory models help shape balanced, evidence-based international cannabis policies.
UCR Global: Showcasing expertise
Become a part of the union of cannabis retailers (UCR) today
Join the movement to create a regulated future for recreational cannabis. Whether you are a retailer ready to amplify your voice or a business looking to support the mission, your contribution is invaluable. Together, we can shape the policies and practices that will define the future of the industry.
Who can join UCR?
Union of Cannabis Retailers (UCR) is built on the foundation of collaboration and shared commitment. To drive meaningful progress in recreational cannabis regulation, we rely on two distinct yet complementary groups: Retailers and Partners. Both are vital to achieving our mission, yet they fulfill different roles within the organization.
The Recreational Cannabis Foundation VS Union of Cannabis Retailers
The distinction between both ensures that each group can contribute in ways that align with their expertise and interests, without overlapping or compromising the mission:
-
Retailers are at the core of the mission, bringing firsthand experience from the retail sector to inform and shape priorities. As part of the Union of Cannabis Retailers (UCR) platform, they share information and insights that help guide the Recreational Cannabis Foundation's efforts, ensuring that the organization remains closely connected to the needs of entrepreneurs.
-
Partners provide the financial resources and external support necessary to amplify the Recreational Cannabis Foundation's efforts. Their contributions enable the foundation to remain independent and focused on advocating for effective regulation, without influencing the operational decisions that are led by the retailers.
This separation allows the Recreational Cannabis Foundation to maintain a balanced, transparent, and inclusive approach while leveraging the unique strengths of both groups. The foundation works on influencing policy, collects funding, while the Union of Cannabis Retailers (UCR) platform manages collaboration and the sharing of information between retailers to help fulfill the foundation's mission.
Members (Retailers Only)
Retailers in the recreational cannabis industry can join UCR as members. Members:
-
Represent the backbone of the foundations mission.
-
Gain access to exclusive resources, reports, and strategic discussions.
-
Contribute to shaping priorities and amplifying their voices on international platforms.
Sponsors
Businesses and stakeholders that support the mission can become a partners through donations or sponsorships. Partners:
-
Support the foundations mission
-
Support specific initiatives, such as research, conferences, or advocacy campaigns.
-
Gain visibility as advocates for a regulated and responsible cannabis industry.