Convicted cannabis cultivators wanted

The government is busy drafting the cultivation experiments. By October 6th the coffeeshop-coucills are expected to be selected. The expectation is that a few councils will be chosen where the resident criteria (ingezetenencriterium) still is being enforced. It is still unclear if one or more businesses will be appointed as a legal cannabis company. In the most recent letter from the government the term “cultivators” has been mentioned. But what are you supposed to do as a Dutch entrepreneur if you are given the chance to cultivate cannabis for coffeeshops legally? Who do you select as your staff? Knowing our government I suspect high standards will be enforced. In our country to check if someone is honourable is measured by that person’s criminal record. I expect these kinds of ads: “wanted, saints with an affinity for cultivating plants”. A different approach is possible. What must a commercial company that cultivates cannabis, which is in demand, do? The in New Zealand established company “Hikurangi Hemp Company Ltd” recently signed a million dollar contract with “Rhizo Sciences” based in Seattle (USA). The expectation is that the government in New Zealand will give permission for the export of cannabis for medicinal consumption. If companies make deals worth 160 million dollar you can count on it that it has thoroughly been thought threw. Do you want to work for Hikurangi Hemp, then you can hope that at one point in time the police have caught you cultivating or selling cannabis. Such a conviction is seen as a test of competence. According to the director of Hikurangi Hemp these people have the most practice and experience. They are experts. This director is very insightful. I hope that the independent commission that must advise our government on the implementation of the experiment will think about this. When the bottom of the treasure chest came into sight the government offered people with unregistered savings a tax amnesty. Without a fine or a punishment tax evaders could deposit their dirty money into the bank. That is how people with illegal savings turned into wealthy depositors for whom the banks laid out the red carpet. I plead for legalisation of cannabis cultivators who currently cultivate illegally for coffeeshops. Dear government let these people convert and let them use their knowledge and experience. It works both ways. As a government you reduce the illegal cannabis cultivation and you will be able to use the badly needed knowledge and experience. Translated by Joanna McKernan. Joanna works as a Lawyer for the law firm Beckers & Bergmans in Sittard. She is a native English speaker. Joanna has a lot of experience in cannabis related civil cases. André Beckers (Lawyer) andre@beckersbergmans.nl available on phone: 003165317489 Joanna McKernan (Lawyer) joanna@beckersbergmans.nl available on phone: 0031467600030