Amsterdam will not take part in soon-to-be started experiments with regulated marijuana production, according to the Parool newspaper, citing the views of acting mayor Jozias van Aartsen.

The government is due to announce more details about its plans to start trials of regulated marijuana cultivation later on Wednesday.

Six to 10 local authorities will be selected to grow marijuana on a small scale to supply local cannabis cafes, better known as coffee shops. The aim is to remove the gray area between licenced sales and illegal cultivation.

Tourists

However, according to the Parool, officals feel that Amsterdam’s position is different to that of other Dutch cities because it is home to a quarter of the country’s licenced coffee shops.

In addition, the city does not have to comply with the ‘resident only’ rules that apply to the rest of the country, which means tourists are allowed to buy cannabis and marijuana as well.

This, say officials, makes the city unsuitable to run an experiment in regulated production. The trials are slated to start in early 2019.