Quality

Medicinal cannabis contains no pesticides, heavy metals, bacteria, mould or other potential pathogens. The active substances are the same in each individual harvest of any given product, ensuring that the strength of the product supplied to the user is always the same. To this end the OMC has set a number of requirements that must be met by all supply chain partners (including the producer and the logistical service provider). The cannabis is cultivated under controlled circumstances, in line with the rules for Good Agricultural Practice (GAP).

Independent  laboratories

To ensure that all requirements are met, the resulting medicinal cannabis is tested by independent laboratories for undesirable substances, such as heavy metals and pesticides, as well as for possible pathogens. Once it has been given the all clear the medicinal cannabis can be released for delivery to pharmacies.

Pharmaceutical quality

Leiden University has conducted research into the quality of cannabis available in coffee shops. The results showed that such cannabis is not of pharmaceutical quality, and is often polluted with pathogens. Using cannabis not obtained from a pharmacy therefore poses a serious health risk for patients.