Only Dutch producer of medicinal cannabis declared bankrupt
Bedrocan, the only company in the Netherlands legally permitted to grow medicinal cannabis, was officially declared bankrupt on Thursday. The court reached this decision after the company had already filed for a suspension of payments two weeks ago. This marks the end of the well-known grower's operations.
The company from Veendam had been the permanent supplier for the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport for years. Bedrocan's cannabis was used for patients who benefit from medicinal weed, for instance for chronic pain or serious illnesses. The products were manufactured under strict quality controls for both the Dutch market and for export abroad.
Despite the important role the company played in healthcare, Bedrocan had been struggling with major financial problems recently. It is currently unclear what the consequences of the bankruptcy will be for patients who depend on this specific medication. The government must now look for a solution to guarantee the supply of medicinal cannabis in the future.
A curator will investigate in the coming period whether there are possibilities for a restart of the company or if the assets must be sold. For the time being, production remains halted, which creates an uncertain situation for many involved.