The Netherlands expanded a government-run initiative on Monday allowing legal cannabis sales.

While growing cannabis is still illegal, cannabis shops — known as coffeeshops — in 10 municipalities will be allowed to sell marijuana from 10 licensed producers.

“Weed was sold here legally for 50 years, but the production was never legal. So it’s finally time to end that crazy, unexplainable situation and make it a legal professional sector,” Rick Bakker, commercial director at Hollandse Hoogtes, one of the regulated producers, told The Associated Press.

Some 80 coffeeshops are taking part in the experiment which advocates hope this will ultimately end a long-standing legal anomaly — you can buy and sell small amounts of weed without fear of prosecution in the Netherlands, but growing it commercially remains illegal.

Bakker's company in Bemmel, near the German border, is indistinguishable from the surrounding greenhouses producing tomatoes and peppers. But it makes 200 kilograms (440 pounds) of weed per week and is one of the largest producers in the experiment.

A trailblazer in decriminalizing pot since the 1970s, the Netherlands has grown more conservative. 

, long a magnet for marijuana smokers, has been closing coffeeshops in recent years and has banned smoking weed on some of the cobbled streets that make up its historic center.

Advocates have been pushing for a legal growing for years, citing the safety of the product as well as concerns about crime.

Dutch cannabis growers welcome expansion of state-run experiment to make sales legal

For the second year in a row, what had been an uneventful, consensus-driven United Nations meeting on drug policy saw unexpected drama and signs of real change.

At the 68th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna in March 2025, governments approved the formation of an independent expert commission to recommend changes to the architecture of global drug policy, which has changed little since the early 1960s.

Colombia again played a catalytic role, as it did in 2024. But this time, the United States—under the new Trump administration—tried to block nearly everything, isolating itself diplomatically in the process.

In this episode of the WOLA Podcast, Adam Isacson speaks with three experts who were in Vienna:

, Executive Director of the International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC), a network of 195 organizations working to reform global drug policy.

, Senior Coordinator for drug policy at DeJusticia, a Bogotá-based think tank and advocacy group.

, WOLA’s Director for Drug Policy, who has tracked the UN’s drug control system since the 1980s.

The conversation traces the slow evolution of the UN drug control system—from decades of punitive consensus to today’s shifting coalitions, unprecedented votes, and long-overdue reviews.

Much of the episode centers on a breakthrough: a new resolution establishing an “independent external review” of the UN’s own drug control institutions. For years, countries like Colombia have called for an honest assessment of the system’s failings. Now, thanks to a resolution spearheaded by Colombia and passed over U.S. opposition, that review is happening. The details still matter: how independent the expert panel will truly be, who funds it, and whether the review can influence the hard architecture of the drug control treaties.

“Vienna was very much a space where delegates would just pat each other on the back on how well we’re doing the war on drugs,” Pereira said. “The spirit of Vienna created a sort of lockdown situation on debate, true debate,” added Walsh. “Civil society enlivened the Vienna atmosphere” in recent years, he noted, “with new debates, new arguments.” Now, this international space has become more dynamic.

The guests also discuss coca leaf: its decades-old listing as a Schedule I narcotic, Bolivia’s and Colombia’s ongoing push for a scientific review, and the possibility of a pivotal vote in 2026. They stress how traditional knowledge—especially from Indigenous communities—must be recognized as legitimate scientific input during that review.

Underlying it all is a major diplomatic shift. Colombia is using the UN system to demand drug policy grounded in health, human rights, and development—not militarized prohibition. But with Petro’s term ending in 2026, it’s unclear who will pick up the baton.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration is signaling a return to zero-tolerance drug war policies—and burning bridges with potential allies in the process. “They behaved so terribly. I mean, they broke with all diplomatic niceties,” said Fordham. “The U.S. just went for it in their opening statement… It was frankly an embarrassing, but also pretty shocking statement.”

Despite the uncertainty, all three guests agree: civil society is no longer on the sidelines. NGOs and experts are shaping debates, challenging rigid thinking in Vienna, and holding governments to account.

CND68: Historic vote initiates overdue review of UN drug control ‘machinery,’

” Ann Fordham, Adrià Cots Fernández, International Drug Policy Consortium, March 18, 2025.

A Historic Vote at the CND: Colombia Challenges the Global Drug Control System

,” Isabel Pereira Arana, DeJusticia, March 18, 2025.

CND 2025: What future for the UN drug control system?

” TRANSFORM Drug Policy Foundation, March 23, 2025.

When the Adult in the Room Is Gone: Trump’s Budget Cuts and Global Drug Policy

,” István Gábor Takács, Drug Reporter, April 2, 2025.

Download this podcast episode’s .mp3 file here

, or wherever you subscribe to podcasts. The 

Global drug policy: “Countries are being freed up to actually speak their minds”

Civil Society Monitoring of Harm Reduction in Europe

 series explores developments in hepatitis C care for people who inject drugs, based on observations from C-EHRN focal points in 40 cities across 35 European countries. The findings point to trends such as expanded access to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), ongoing healthcare stigma, and disparities in harm reduction funding. To gain further insights into this year’s report, we spoke with primary author Tuukka Tammi. Download the publication and read the interview below.

Compared to last year’s findings, what has changed the most in hepatitis C care for people who inject drugs?

The biggest shift is the record number of cities in the survey, giving us again a broader view of what’s happening across Europe. Forty cities across 35 European countries is a significant number. Most cities are actively encouraging treatment for people who inject drugs, and DAAs are available everywhere now, but restrictions still prevent universal access. And stigma in healthcare remains a major hurdle.

Were there any surprises in this year’s data—either positive or concerning?

A big win is that free HCV testing is now available in every city, and non-invasive diagnostics with Fibroscan® is more common. But there are still serious challenges. Harm reduction services continue to struggle with funding, and bureaucratic barriers like slow insurance approvals delay treatment.

This year’s report includes more participating cities than ever before. Did this expanded dataset bring new insights?

Definitely. The larger dataset highlights stark differences between cities making good progress and those falling behind. Some have strong policies, easy access to treatment, and well-funded harm reduction, while others still face major gaps due to restrictive policies and lack of funding. As we know more broadly, there are major divides in access to harm reduction services across Europe.

Some cities are making strong progress toward the 2030 HCV elimination goal, while others are lagging. What are the key factors that explain these differences?

Cities moving forward typically have well-funded harm reduction, fewer treatment restrictions, and national policies that prioritize HCV elimination. When treatment is accessible, and stigma is tackled, things improve. But in cities with funding cuts, excessive red tape, and discrimination in healthcare, progress stalls.

Stigma and discrimination remain a major issue in HCV care. What new insights does the 2024 report offer on this challenge?

The report makes it clear that stigma is still a huge issue, especially in general healthcare, gastroenterology clinics, and prisons. One major problem is that many healthcare providers lack training on HCV, leading to unnecessary referrals and delays in treatment. Prescription restrictions for DAAs add another layer of difficulty. If stigma isn’t tackled through policy changes and provider training, it will continue to hold back progress.

The report mentions monitoring schemes for people who inject drugs after their HCV diagnosis and treatment. How well are cities doing in this area?

It’s mixed. Just over half of the cities have structured post-treatment follow-up, which helps prevent liver damage and reinfection. But many still lack proper monitoring systems, making it easy for people to fall through the cracks.

This year’s report also examines access to hepatitis C services for people who use drugs but don’t inject. What are the key takeaways from these findings?

People who inject drugs get most of the attention, but those who use drugs in other ways are often overlooked. The report shows that access to testing and treatment for this group varies widely.

What are the top recommendations from this year’s report for policymakers and harm reduction organisations?

Mostly the same as in previous years. HCV care needs to be easier to access. Funding for harm reduction has to be protected—when services like needle exchanges and opioid agonist therapy are cut, transmission rises. Bureaucratic delays in treatment must be reduced, and healthcare providers need better training to diagnose and treat HCV without stigma. Free testing should be expanded, and governments need clear elimination strategies. Integrating harm reduction into mainstream healthcare is also key to breaking down barriers.

Based on this year’s findings, what should we be paying close attention to in 2025?

Harm reduction funding is a big concern—if cuts continue, progress could backslide. We also need to watch how policies evolve. Are they making treatment easier or harder to access?

Eliminating hepatitis C in Europe: A report on policy implementation for people who inject drugs - 2024

The alarm is sounding in the UK's first drug consumption room.

A man in his 30s has overdosed in the "using space" – a room in the Glasgow facility where nurses supervise injections in eight booths.

He had only arrived at The Thistle minutes earlier, animated about being searched by police on the Gallowgate.

Staff rush to help, bringing him from his seat to a crash mat on the floor.

Our film crew is ushered out of the area while an ambulance is called and staff work to save his life.

Eddie Kearney, a harm reduction worker, tells us that the man had already taken drugs three times that day.

"He's using a 'snowball', he's using heroin and cocaine," he explains.

"He's been in there two minutes and he's on the floor."

We are filming in the centre after being granted two days of exclusive access to the pioneering and controversial consumption room.

Less than an hour later, the alarm sounds again, for another man in his 30s.

He had been led to reception by workers from a charity, then made his way to the booths to inject heroin.

Lynn Macdonald, the service manager, tells us it is another medical emergency.

"The first four weeks, there were no medical emergencies, and then this week we've had five.

"It could be a batch of drug that is problematic. People are noticing a difference in the heroin when they making it up, saying they are noticing a green tinge to it."

More paramedics are on their way, she says.

Both men are brought round using the overdose reversal drug Naloxone, before being seen by paramedics. The second is taken to hospital.

Lynn Macdonald later told us: "I am absolutely convinced that had we not been present during the overdoses we've seen within the Thistle, then people would not have survived."

In the 12 weeks since The Thistle opened in the east end of Glasgow, there have been 16 such overdose incidents.

A total of 180 people have visited the unit and more than 1,200 injections of street-bought heroin and cocaine have been supervised.

A total of 27 people have been referred to other services, including housing, by staff.

The service, which follows similar programmes in 18 other countries, seeks to reduce drug-related harm in a hardcore population of injecting users in one of the most deprived communities in Glasgow.

It is hoped that by providing a safer space it will allow medical staff to prevent overdose deaths, reduce blood-borne viruses and clean-up a local area that, historically, has had a major issue with discarded needles and drug debris.

Alarms, overdoses and saving lives: Two days in UK's first drug injection room

For almost 40 years, the Drug Consumption Rooms (DCRs) have been providing effective solutions in terms of harm reduction, human rights and public health.

Local actors, elected representatives and citizens make the opening of new DCRs worldwide possible through their commitment. Despite the many positive evaluations, the subject remains sensitive in the public debate.

This is why the City of Strasbourg, the Council of Europe's Pompidou Group and the Ithaque association are pleased to invite you to the fourth international symposium on drug consumption rooms, to be held on 18 and 19 June 2025 in the Hemicycle of the Council of Europe.

This conference continues the strong momentum started in 2019, bringing together more than 30 countries and 50 different cities at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. Its aim is to promote the model of DCRs and to harmonize international policies around human rights and harm reduction. It offers the opportunity to share the diversity of experiences, the different legal frameworks and, their evolutions, and to put innovative practices into perspective.

Institutional actors and associations in the field, peoples who use drugs, local, national and international political leaders are all invited to attend and will be able to take the floor.

DCRs Symposium 2025: Drug consumption rooms, a pillar of harm reduction and human rights

The European Web Survey on Drugs collected data between May and July 2024 from people who use drugs, aged 18 or older, living in EU and non-EU countries. Over 66,000 respondents participated across 31 countries.

Respondents were self-selected and country recruitment strategies consisted of a mixture of social media campaigns, press releases and contacts with drug-related networks. On the basis of their drug use, respondents were presented with modules on one or more of the following main substances: cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy/MDMA, amphetamine, methamphetamine, heroin, new psychoactive substances (NPS) and ketamine. Other drug modules, relevant to specific contexts, were added by individual countries. Questionnaires were presented in the languages of the countries. In EU countries the survey was a collaboration between the EUDA, Reitox national focal points and individual NGOs, and in non-EU countries between the EUDA, national contact points and NGOs. Over 100 organisations participated.

European Web Survey on Drugs (EWSD) 2024

In recent years, Europe has seen early warning signs of an emerging synthetic opioid crisis. While heroin remains the primary opioid of concern, the rise of nitazenes—potent synthetic opioids with unpredictable effects—poses a growing threat. Unlike traditional opioids, nitazenes are often found in counterfeit medications or mixed with other substances, increasing the risk of overdose and complicating harm reduction efforts.

Correlation-European Harm Reduction Network

, is organising a webinar with leading European experts. The webinar will provide an evidence-based overview of the situation around nitazenes in Europe, examine emerging trends, and discuss which policy, healthcare, and harm reduction responses are needed to prepare.

Understanding Nitazenes: What are they, and why are they a growing concern?

Current Trends in Europe: Where are nitazenes being detected, and who is most at risk?

Health and Policy Responses: How can we prepare for and mitigate the risks?

Harm Reduction Strategies: What measures can effectively prevent overdose and support affected communities?

Drug Checking and Surveillance: How can early detection and monitoring systems help?

This interactive webinar will include expert presentations and case studies from different European countries, and a panel discussion to explore the most effective strategies for tackling nitazenes. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and share insights during the Q&A session.

Introduction – Tony Duffin (C-EHRN Chair)

European perspective – Joanna de Morais (EUDA)

Community Perspective – Leo Jefferys (EuroNPUD)

This webinar is crucial for harm reduction and healthcare professionals, policymakers, public health officials, and anyone involved in drug policy or healthcare. It will offer a comprehensive overview of current developments and trends related to nitazenes and explore practical responses at European, national, and local levels.

. Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation email with details on how to join the webinar.

Nitazenes in Europe – How should we prepare?

This report evaluates the economic impacts of legalising and regulating cannabis for adult non-medical use in the UK from a Treasury perspective of income and spending. The report focuses on government revenues (corporation and income tax, VAT, National Insurance, licensing fees, and, in the scenario of a state monopoly model, profits), savings across the criminal justice system (CJS) from reduced costs on enforcement, and the costs of administering a regulatory model.

For Transform, economic arguments for cannabis, though significant, are secondary to public health and social justice policy priorities. But the economic dimensions of the cannabis reform debate are undoubtedly gaining
political salience, particularly as governments face growing budgetary pressures. Public support for cannabis reform, particularly for economic reasons, such as disrupting illegal profits and the potential tax income, is growing in both the U.S. and the UK.

This report analyses three different regulatory scenarios:

1. Home-grow provision for personal use, and non-profit membership-based associations, with no commercial retail

2. Hybrid model including home grow, non-profit associations and regulated commercial retail

3. A Hybrid model Home grow, non-profit associations, and commercial retail operating under a state monopoly (profits on retail sale accrue to the state)


High returns: The economic benefits of UK cannabis legalisation

Tuesday, 18 February / 14:00 - 15:30 (Indonesia)

What next for drug decriminalisation in Asia?


Join community and civil society advocates as they discuss recent developments, advances, and setbacks in drug decriminalisation efforts across Canada, Portugal, and Australia. The webinar will explore key advocacy strategies and implications for humane drug policies in Asia.

 – Policy Director, Canadian Drug Policy Coalition (

 – Executive Team Member, European Network of People who Use Drugs

 – Executive Director, Canberra Alliance for Harm Minimisation & Advocacy (CAHMA); President, Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug Users League (AIVL)

 – Human Rights Lawyer, Lawyers Collective, India

 – Asia Programme Officer, International Drug Policy Consortium

Interpretation available in Thai and Indonesian

Drugs and decriminalisation in Asia: Global updates on drug decriminalisation

The Robert Carr Fund (RCF) is excited to share a major advocacy success from one of our grantees, the Harm Reduction Consortium – led by the International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC).

In this interview, Jamie Bridge, Deputy Director of IDPC, explains how the coordinated efforts of numerous civil society partners led to the historic inclusion of harm reduction in a United Nations resolution. This achievement, made possible through years of dedicated advocacy and long-term support from RCF, shows the vital role civil society plays in shaping global drug policies. By sharing this story, we want to show how sustained funding can fuel community-led advocacy, driving real change in global health and human rights.

Which problem did the Harm Reduction Consortium and partners want to address?

Jamie Bridge: The main issue we aimed to address was the lack of recognition for harm reduction in the United Nations (UN) drug policy discussions in Vienna, where the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) convenes. Despite harm reduction being acknowledged in other UN spaces, such as the General Assembly in New York and the Human Rights Council in Geneva, it was noticeably absent in Vienna. This discrepancy created a significant barrier. Countries would often justify their inaction on harm reduction by pointing to the lack of support in the CND and related international drug control conventions, which were drafted decades before harm reduction even existed as a concept. We needed to close this gap to enable consistent, supportive international language and policy on harm reduction across all UN bodies.

At the March 2024 CND meeting, a historic resolution was passed that explicitly included harm reduction—a first for this UN body. The United States submitted the resolution, marking a significant shift, as the country had historically opposed harm reduction. This change was largely driven by the opioid overdose crisis in North America. The passage of the resolution was not straightforward, as it broke with the CND’s traditional practice of consensus decision-making. Instead, the resolution went to a vote, with overwhelming support from member states and only two countries—Russia and China—voting against it. This vote set a new precedent, demonstrating that progress could be made despite opposition and lack of traditional consensus approach to decision-making in this UN institution.

This breakthrough is monumental for future advocacy efforts. It not only aligns Vienna with other UN bodies but also opens the door for more ambitious resolutions on many critical issues. For us, harm reduction advocates, this development represents a powerful tool to challenge resistance at the national and regional levels, as governments can no longer claim that the CND does not support harm reduction. The long-term core funding from the Robert Carr Fund was pivotal in enabling the Harm Reduction Consortium to sustain our advocacy efforts over the years, ensuring that relationships, expertise, and readiness were in place for this specific moment in time.

Jamie Bridge: Our strategy has always been about persistence and collaboration. Since IDPC received its first grant from the Robert Carr Fund in 2012, engaging at the CND has been our core activity. Over the years, we focused on developing trust and constructive relationships with government delegations through regular meetings, briefings, and constant engagement. Alongside this, we coordinated civil society’s presence at the CND by organizing training sessions to prepare community representatives and NGOs for advocacy in this space. The result has been an exponential rise in the levels of civil society participation at CND (Figure 1).

Turning the tide: Growth, visibility and impact of the civil society drug policy reform movement at the UN - International Drug Policy Consortium (IDPC)

Additionally, we consistently kept harm reduction and human rights at the center of discussions, advocating for countries that practice harm reduction to openly support it in UN statements.

The sustained financial support from RCF allowed us to maintain this comprehensive strategy year after year. These long-term efforts culminated in March 2024 when, for the first time, a resolution explicitly mentioning harm reduction was approved at the CND. This breakthrough required tenacity, strategic relationship-building, and a collective push from our partners. The RCF’s contributions ensured that we could adapt, respond, and act decisively when the opportunity arose.

Who were the network partners, and how were they engaged in the advocacy?

Jamie Bridge: This success was a collective effort, powered by a broad coalition. Key partners included the Harm Reduction Consortium members and others such as the Transnational Institute and the International Network of People Who Use Drugs (INPUD).

Our advocacy was thoroughly coordinated. For example, every March before the CND session, we hold a full-day civil society strategy meeting funded by the Robert Carr Fund. Representatives from over 70 NGOs worldwide come together to strategize, assign tasks, and ensure everyone is aligned. This includes deciding which governments to approach, preparing side events, and crafting interventions. Without this coordination, the unified civil society presence that has been critical to our success would not have been possible.

Community representatives played a critical role. In the lead-up to the resolution vote, these activists worked tirelessly, navigating the corridors of the UN building, briefing governments, and ensuring they understood the significance of the vote. Their advocacy directly influenced key decisions. The ability to sustain this high level of coordination and engagement over years is directly tied to the long-term financial support from RCF.

How were RCF’s funds used to achieve this success?

Jamie Bridge: The Robert Carr Fund’s support has been instrumental in both direct and indirect ways. The CND work has always been a priority in the Harm Reduction Consortium’s work plans. However, advocacy at this level requires years of groundwork, training, coordination, and trust-building. These are resource-intensive activities that cannot be accomplished with project-based funding alone. Without RCF’s core support, we wouldn’t have had the capacity or relationships to achieve this milestone. The flexibility of core funding has allowed us to adapt our strategies to changing political landscapes, ensuring that we remain effective advocates for harm reduction.

What are the outcomes of this case and its broader impact on human rights and the global harm reduction movement?

Jamie Bridge: The inclusion of harm reduction in a CND resolution represents a landmark victory. For the first time, we now have a unified acknowledgment of harm reduction across all relevant UN structures, from Vienna to Geneva and New York. This alignment eliminates a significant barrier that governments previously used to avoid implementing harm reduction measures.

For communities, the potential impact can be profound. NGOs and activists can now leverage this CND resolution to advocate for harm reduction services at their national level. For instance, in countries without naloxone programs for overdose prevention, this resolution explicitly calls for their implementation. It’s a powerful tool for challenging resistance and pushing for change.

Moreover, this success has shifted the dynamics at the CND. Historically, decisions were made by consensus, which allowed a few opposing countries, like Russia and China, to veto progress. In March 2024, this tradition was broken when the resolution went to a vote. With overwhelming support, harm reduction became part of UN policy.

This shift opens the door for future resolutions on previously untouchable topics, such as the death penalty for drug-related offenses or broader human rights issues. It’s a game-changer. The momentum is on our side, and we’re already strategizing for the next steps.

However, we’re realistic. Progress at the UN level is rarely linear, and we need to see what role the United States may continue to play as a harm reduction ally. UN resolutions also don’t automatically translate into immediate change on the ground. The real challenge lies in translating this victory into better access to harm reduction services and stronger human rights protections worldwide. This requires continued advocacy, capacity-building, and long-term investment—areas where the Robert Carr Fund’s support remains critical.

‘RCF’s long-term investment into community-led networks fuels harm reduction advocacy’ — Interview with Jamie Bridge

The situation is under control, which wasn’t the case a year ago when the number of crack users was doubling every month, according to Thomas Herquel, director of Première Ligne, the association that runs the Quai 9 injection room. In an interview published on Saturday in the Le Temps paper, he stated that “the number of users is constant and violent acts have decreased”.

Herquel’s estimates are based on the number of crack pipes distributed, which averages about 90 a day. According to him, the peak of users has been reached. He notes that the police and the association have succeeded in better monitoring of the area and combating ‘crack tourism’.

Crack consumption soared in Geneva from 2021 onwards, with the arrival on the market of very small doses of this highly addictive drug at very low prices. The government launched a three-year action plan at the end of 2023, costing CHF6 million a year.

Switzerland: Geneva’s fightback against crack cocaine making inroads

 February 13, 2025 - 10:00 AM GMT / 11:00 AM CET


Join EuroNPUD for an Informational Session on Peer Work and Harm Reduction!

EuroNPUD invites you to an engaging session on the power of peer work, drug user organising, and how to involve people who use drugs in community-based harm reduction service provision.

This webinar will be led by EuroNPUD consultants:

The webinar will showcase examples of peer-led research and best practices developed through the EU4Health BOOST Project.

Insights into peer work and community-driven harm reduction.

Strategies for meaningful involvement of people who use drugs in service provision.

Peer-led research examples and best practice resources.

Register in advance to secure your spot! After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with details on how to join the meeting.

Western Europe