At the time 5 institutions* had permits for growing cannabis.
Hortapharm B.V. applied for it several times and was denied again and again.
So the story they got a permit to grow and were the only one who did is a complete lie,
still kept alive by professional liars, who unfortunately dominate most weedforums.
From 16 september 1994 untill 17 september 1997 they did have a permit for scientific research, which took them more than 3 years to get. This allowed them to have a maximum of 10 grams THC, not to grow any plants, which officially was supposed to happen abroad.
That permit wasn't extended, because they didn't stick to the conditions, but untill July 1997 it was “gedoogd” to grow cannabis for medical purposes which they did, just like our coffeeshops are “gedoogd”.
Hortapharm B.V. went in appeal against that decision and then politics got even more involved.
First on 3 oktober 1997 there was the
manipulative radio program implying Sam was working for the DEA. Very nasty, because people have been killed for less.
Shortly before the decision of the appeal in March 1998, Maripharm, supplier of MMJ to more than 200 pharmacies, was busted and at the same time a new drug called Marinol (Dronabinol) was introduced.
6 March 1998 there was
a second radio show, connecting Hortapharm with whitewash operations, tax fraude and stockmarket fraude. Obviously they then lost the appeal shortly afterwards.
26 May 1998 they applied for a new permit this time for “analytisch-chemische doelen, veredeling en instandhouding van plantenrassen en in- en export”
Based on a tip they had continued their illegal activities the Justice Department was asked April 1999 to investigate this claim. On 13 April 1999 Hortapharm was busted and their permit was denied the next day.
Mind you I am not a fan of Sam at all and I hate the way he tries to change history, among other things.
My friends still think he is DEA, including Wernard who invited him to Holland in the first place.
But fact is he got screwed badly and Nevil got screwed as well.
The first is easy to proof, the last you need to understand politics and how Dutch police works.
Speaking of Dutch police and politics, check out what became of
Mario Lap.
* These 5 were:
1. Centrum voor Plantenveredelings en reproductieonderzoek (CPRO-DLO).
2. Instituut voor Agrotechnologisch Onderzoek (ATO-DLO).
3. Institute for Human Psychopharmacology.
4. Vakgroep Agronomie Landbouwuniversiteit Wageningen.
5. Stichting Kwaliteitsbewaking Klinische Geneesmiddelenanalyse en Toxicologie.
All facts about Hortapharm B.V. permits (in Dutch)