The mayor of Tilburg, the sixth-largest city in the Netherlands, has indicated that authorities will allow residents who rely on medicinal cannabis to grow up to five plants for personal use without fear of prosecution. The move is a clean break with existing policy, under which medical growers face evictions and seizure of their plants.

Mayor Peter Noordanus announced the news in a letter to local patient organization PGMCG (Patients Group Medicinal Cannabis Users). Marian Hutten, chairwoman of the group, called the official permission an “excellent, cool step of the mayor.”

Cannabis regulation comes in different forms throughout the world. We showcase Portugal, Netherlands, and Colorado in their approach to cannabis regulation.

Drug possession, use, and distribution are under different regulations throughout the world. Most of the countries make a difference when it comes to so-called soft and hard drugs. Hard drugs are loosely defined as drugs with an unacceptable degree of addictiveness (physical addiction) and/or physical harm.

Cannabis falls under the domain of soft drugs, as there is minimal physical harm even when used irresponsibly and the addiction caused in heavy users is still only psychological. As such cannabis regulations in the world are usually less harsh than those for let’s say heroin or cocaine.

One of the next frontiers in the political battles for marijuana smokers is the need to provide venues where marijuana smokers can socialize with other marijuana smokers in a marijuana-friendly lounge. Under current laws in Washington, Colorado, Oregon, and the District of Columbia, it is perfectly legal for smokers to possess specified amounts of marijuana, but they are only legally allowed to exercise their newly won freedom in their home or as a guest in someone else’s home.

A new report shows that the Netherlands is the leading supplier of drugs among dark net vendors.

Internet-facilitated drugs trade was released by the Dutch Justice Ministry and took into consideration the size, scope, and the role the Netherlands is playing in the online drug business.

Researchers scanned 50 dark net markets and vendor shops to find that the Netherlands calls a very huge portion of the markets and sites home.

In part with data from the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction, the study suggests that the Netherlands is the main producer of MDMA and Ecstasy, as well as a key distribution hub from cannabis resin and cocaine.

Medicinal Cannabis Sativex and Bedrocan are now available in many European countries, and several have infrastructure in place to supply patients with medicinal cannabis. So which countries are moving with the times, and which are dragging their heels? Where are medicinal and recreational users most (and least) free to utilize their drug of choice? Let’s take a look at the facts.

Freedom Leaf, Inc. (OTC PINK: FRLF) the successful publishing and licensing company behind the legal cannabis industry, has quickly reached important revenue-driving milestones in Spain and The Netherlands in its international branding effort.

Freedom Leaf, Inc. has drawn interest from overseas licensees seeking access to its brand, its editorial content, ability to put on events, along with premium products and services under its banner. "We're a magnet to attract mergers and acquisitions, incubation of new companies and spinoffs," said Cliff Perry, CEO of Freedom Leaf, Inc. "Our news, media, entertainment platforms and other properties raise awareness for investors and seed more potential deal flow"

It’s funny how even the most well-meaning of advice can sometimes come off as condescending, patronizing, or even rude. This is especially true when it’s cannabis advice. 

So imagine our surprise here at Leafly when a list of helpful, friendly and nonjudgmental advice popped up on Reddit via Amsterdam’s cannabis coffeeshop circuit. 

When it comes to selling cannabis to foreigners, the pendulum of public acceptance in the Netherlands keeps on swinging. Back in 2012, after years of political debate over tourists pouring into Holland to buy and consume cannabis, the Dutch government introduced a so-called weed pass that would effectively ban tourists and allow only locals into the country’s famous cannabis coffeeshops. Now, just four years later, most cities have abandoned the system — only the city of Maastricht and a handful of smaller towns in the country’s southern region still enforce the ban.

Hawthorne Gardening Company (HGC), a wholy-owned subsidiary of Scott's Miracle Grow (SMG), has taken a 75% interest in Gavita, an international horticultural lighting provider.

Gavita sought a partner to expand its market leading position and to expand and expedite its research and development plans. They found this partner in the US-based Hawthorne Gardening Company. Hawthorne is an A-brand group, focused on bringing together the best brands in gardening and horticulture, to offer green and sustainable solutions for food production. The current Dutch management will stay in place and holds 25% interest in the new company. 

More questions than answers from a new study out of The Netherlands.

Recent studies suggest that there could be differences in brain thickness between children who are exposed to cannabis and those who aren’t — but do these studies tell the whole story?

Across the pond, an hour south from Amsterdam, Dr. Hanan El Marroun, of Erasmus University Medical Center in The Netherlands has dedicated his work to researching one of the most overlooked aspects of cannabis use: consuming while pregnant.