Netherlands

Medical cannabis has been legal in the Netherlands since 2003 via the Office of Medicinal Cannabis (OMC/CCBM) government supply system. The OMC contracts licensed producers (primarily Bedrocan) to supply standardised cannabis products to Dutch pharmacies. This is the world's longest-running government cannabis supply program.

The Dutch system allows both OMC-tendered supply (for standardised products) and CCBM-authorized private imports (for non-tendered products). Foreign manufacturers can access the Dutch market via the private import CCBM pathway without participating in the OMC tender.

Importers require an IGJ Wholesale Dealer Authorization (WDA) plus an OMC/CCBM import authorization per shipment. Dutch manufacturers require an Opium Act production license from the Ministry of Health (VWS). Pharmacies dispense under standard pharmacy licenses against physician prescriptions.

Dutch GPs and specialists may prescribe cannabis. OMC products are covered by some Dutch health insurers (Zorgverzekering). Non-OMC products are generally not reimbursed. The Netherlands has a relatively liberal prescribing culture compared to Germany or UK.

EU-GMP Part I is mandatory for ALL finished medicinal cannabis products imported into the Netherlands. This is strictly enforced by CCBM — applications without a current, cannabis-scoped EU-GMP Part I certificate will be rejected.

OMC published a new public tender in March 2026 for the 2027–2031 supply period. This is a significant commercial opportunity for EU-GMP Part I certified international suppliers. Tender closes June 2026 — act immediately if interested.

Bureau for Medicinal Cannabis issues per-shipment import authorizations. Applications include product specifications, GMP/GACP certificates, COA, and exporting country authorization. Processing: approximately 4 weeks. Applications submitted via CCBM online portal.

CCBM import authorization (original), EU-GMP Part I certificate (current, cannabis scope), GACP certificate, Certificate of Analysis per batch (QP signed), Exporting country export authorization, Airway bill / bill of lading, Dutch-language labeling plan.

Rotterdam is Europe's largest port and a major pharmaceutical import hub. Amsterdam Schiphol is the primary air entry point. Both have established controlled substance handling procedures. GDP-compliant cold chain logistics available at both.

OMC-contracted suppliers ship directly to OMC's distribution facility. OMC then distributes to pharmacies nationwide. Per-shipment CCBM authorization still required even for OMC-contracted shipments. OMC handles the final distribution logistics.

Dutch manufacturers (primarily OMC-contracted Bedrocan) may export. CCBM export authorization required per shipment. Destination country import authorization must be obtained first. Dutch EU-GMP Part I certificates are accepted internationally as gold standard.

All finished medicinal cannabis products imported into the Netherlands must be manufactured under EU-GMP Part I. Certificate must be issued by an EEA competent authority or PIC/S-recognised body with explicit cannabis manufacturing scope. No Part II-only pathway for finished product exists in the Dutch system.

All EEA national competent authorities (ANSM, IMB, BfArM, AGES, etc.) certificates accepted directly. PIC/S members (TGA Australia, Health Canada, MHRA UK, Swissmedic, IMFA Israel) accepted under bilateral arrangements. Cannabis scope must be explicitly stated.

All batches must be certified by an EU Qualified Person named on the Dutch importer's WDA. The QP reviews full batch documentation and certifies compliance with Dutch/EU standards. QP is legally liable for each released batch under Dutch Medicines Act.

IGJ conducts GMP inspections of Dutch manufacturers and may inspect foreign sites for risk-based reasons. IGJ inspection findings are shared within the EU GMP inspection network. Foreign site inspection reports from EEA authorities are accepted by IGJ without re-inspection.

Netherlands accepts EU GACP (EMEA/HMPC/246816/2006) and WHO GACP 2003. ISO 17065-accredited third-party certification required. CCBM reviews certifying body accreditation for each application.

Bedrocan and other OMC-contracted Dutch growers comply with GACP as a contractual condition with OMC. Their GACP compliance is audited by OMC directly — third-party GACP certification is not separately required for domestic supply to OMC.

CCBM requires a current certificate for each import authorization application. No grace period. Build renewal audits into the annual compliance calendar, particularly if multiple import permit applications are planned throughout the year.

GACP certificate must name the specific cultivation site. GMP certificate must reference the GACP-certified source. Any cultivation site change requires notification to CCBM and a new certificate before continued import.