Netherlands opens tender for second producer of medical cannabis

The Netherlands, which only has one producer of medical cannabis, Bedrocan, will receive a new cultivation license soon. High demand and the need for more variety are among the motivations that led the Dutch government to decide to open a new tender next month.

The Dutch Broadcasting Foundation (Nederlandse Omroep Stichting), which is part of the Dutch Public Broadcasting system, noticed that o Medical Cannabis Cabinet (BMC) of the country wants to issue its second cultivation license. Currently, only the Bedrocan is authorized to produce medicinal cannabis derivatives in the Netherlands. 

Bedrocan, which enjoyed an exclusivity regime for 16 years, claims that it was the first medicinal cannabis producer in the world to produce medicines in accordance with the European Union (EU) guidelines for Good Manufacturing Practices. Good Manufacturing Practices or GMP). The company is also present in Australia.

According to the news of the Dutch Broadcasting, everything that Bedrocan manages to produce – around 80 to 100 kilos per week – is destined for the Dutch State. The Medical Cannabis Office is also the only body responsible for the import and export of medical cannabis in the country.

To meet the high demand for cannabis-based products and medicines and for new varieties to enter the market, the Dutch government tried in 2018 to grant a second license, but this effort was hampered by objections to the process.

The DutchNews advance with the forecast the start of the public tender for the new license next month. the same source reported in the past that around half a million people in the Netherlands use cannabis for medicinal purposes, but most do not have a prescription.