Union of Cannabis Retailers

From foundation to network

One of the statutory objectives of the Recreational Cannabis Foundation is to facilitate a network of stakeholders within the recreational cannabis sector. The UCR is the platform that fulfils this objective — gathering practical experience that is essential for developing policy recommendations grounded in reality, building societal support, and countering misinformation about recreational cannabis.

• The Foundation (RCF) — Conducts research, publishes policy recommendations, and facilitates dialogue between sector stakeholders and policymakers — in the interest of public health and public order. The foundation actively seeks real-world input from the sector to ensure its work is evidence-based.
• Union of Cannabis Retailers (UCR) — The platform through which the foundation gathers practical knowledge from retailers — essential input for evidence-based policy recommendations, building public support for responsible regulation, and countering misinformation in the sector.

Three levels of action

The UCR operates on three levels. At each level, the foundation draws on practitioners' real-world experience to develop evidence-based insights, foster public support for responsible regulation, and counter misinformation — in the interest of public health and public order.

UCR NL

Amplifying local expertise

• Gathering practical experience: Collect firsthand insights from the Dutch retail sector to inform the foundation's research and policy recommendations — ensuring they reflect reality on the ground.
• Sharing knowledge: Act as a conduit for sharing best practices, data, and experiences from the Netherlands with international stakeholders, contributing to broader discussions on cannabis regulation.
• Countering misinformation: By documenting real-world practices and outcomes, help provide an objective, fact-based perspective on the recreational cannabis sector that supports informed public debate.
• Bridging local to global: Ensure that the lessons learned from national regulatory systems are integrated into international policymaking processes.

UCR EU

Building a unified European voice

• Policy dialogue: Contribute practitioners' experience to informed discussions on recreational cannabis regulation across Europe — engaging with European institutions such as the European Parliament and European Commission.
• Building public support: By making practical knowledge accessible to policymakers and the public, help build societal support for evidence-based regulation that serves public health and public order.
• Supporting national missions: Represent the missions and expertise of national organizations at a European level, ensuring their practical knowledge informs broader policy discussions.
• European initiatives: Drive joint initiatives, such as pan-European research projects, educational campaigns, and policy recommendations — all informed by practitioner experience.
• Harmonization: Promote regulatory frameworks that balance the diverse needs of member states while fostering cooperation and mutual respect.

UCR Global

Showcasing expertise worldwide

• 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 regulatory insights across continents, strengthening the international dialogue on cannabis regulation.
• Countering global misinformation: By connecting practitioners from different markets, help create a fact-based global narrative that counters misinformation and supports informed policymaking.
• Integrating local expertise: Ensure that insights from different regulatory models help shape balanced, evidence-based international cannabis policies.