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Foreign patients and businesses

Import

A foreign business wishing to import cannabis or cannabis extracts must submit the following documents to the OMC:

  • two original import licences;
  • an accompanying letter stating the quantity of cannabis or cannabis extracts required, and the purpose for which it will be used.

Once the documents have been received the OMC will draw up a contract in duplicate, and an invoice for delivering the cannabis. The OMC will then apply to the Healthcare and Youth Care Inspectorate (Inspectie voor de Gezondheidszorg en Jeugd) for an export licence. Once the signed contract has been returned, the cannabis or cannabis extracts can be delivered by the OMC.

Costs include the application fee for the export licence and contract and transport costs.

Foreign patients

A European non-Dutch patient can, in principle, obtain medicinal cannabis in the Netherlands using a prescription from their own doctor. The procedure is as follows:

  • The patient must have a valid prescription from any doctor within the European Union.
  • A wholesaler or pharmacy in the country in question must then apply to the appropriate government agency for an import licence for medicinal cannabis. In the Netherlands this agency would be the Healthcare Inspectorate (Inspectie Gezondheidszorg en Jeugd).
  • The import licence needs to be forwarded, in duplicate, to the Office for Medicinal Cannabis Research (OMC).
  • The OMC will then apply to the Healthcare Inspectorate (Inspectie voor de Gezondheidszorg) for an export licence. The export licence is generally issued within two to three weeks. In addition to an exemption, a contract specifying a number of details (e.g. the delivery of the medicinal cannabis) will also need to be drawn up.
  • As soon as the contract has been signed and the export licence issued, the quantity of medicinal cannabis ordered can be dispatched.
  • The wholesaler or pharmacy then dispenses the medicinal cannabis to the patient.

Import and export licences are only valid for a limited period. Once this period has expired the procedure must be repeated in order to obtain a new licence.

Costs include the application fee for the export licence and contract and transport costs.