Tilburgs culture covenant

On 13-09 in 2016 M. Hutten received from Foundation PGMCG (patient group medicinal cannabis users) in Tilburg the following letter from Mayor Noordanus detailing the terms on which it would be allowed to cultivate cannabis at home for medicinal purposes. This followed a request from Mr. Hutten and S. de Bruijn for allowing the home cultivation of cannabis for medicinal purposes from an administrative framework. Also thanks to the advice questions that the group Smolders asked in the city council of Tilburg on medical cannabis cultivation at home and in the context of self-medication.

For many patients, the efficacy of the available selections from Bedrocan on prescription from the pharmacy through the Office for Medicinal Cannabis (BMC) is not sufficient. Moreover, there is often a maximum payment to the insurer so the pharmacy cannabis is to expensive for many patients. A recent survey shows three-quarters of the patients are thus compelled to involve cannabis from a source other than pharmacies, including through home cultivation of cannabis for personal use, or possibly through a collective for people who are unable itself to grow medicinal cannabis because of their disability.

This peculiar terminal initiative of Mayor Noordanus following coordination in the local triumvirate, has led to the scheduling of home-grow cannabis for medicinal use under a covenant in the municipalities of Bergen op Zoom, Arnhem, Hof van Twente and Heerlen. The questions asked in the Tweede Kamer by Marith Volp (PvdA) about this have already been answered by Minister Schippers, to which researcher Nicole Maalsté then responded in an open letter.

Dear Ms Hutten,

Following our conversation on June 27th. in which we talked about the cultivation of medicinal cannabis, I can tell you the following.

Firstly my apologies for the delay in replying. The delay had to do with consultation with the Public Prosecution Service and the Local Triangle. Besides the political attention for this subject, I also wanted to investigate the criminal and administrative framework for this issue.

I hereby let you know that I'm allowing growing medical cannabis under strict conditions. These conditions are as follows:

You can not grow more than five plants in your home

These plants can not be larger than three meters.

You must have a medical certificate from a BIG-registered care provider about the need of cannabis use. The declaration must be signed by the BIG-registered caregiver and have a date that indicates it is not older than 5 years.

You must ensure a fire-safe home

You must ensure safe and legal electricity as regards

lamp (s) you use for these plants.

The cannabis is strictly for personal use.

Sales to third parties is not permitted.

Vocational - or industrial action is prohibited.

The grower must be an adult.

If upon inspection it turns out that you do not meet any of these conditions, I am forced to call the police.

I can also, in excess of the above conditions, consider more

appropriate administrative sanctions.

As indicated I have discussed these rules with the members of the Local Triangle (Public Prosecution Service and Police).

Yours sincerely,