A large cannabis farm in the Netherlands is facing possible closure after receiving thousands of complaints from nearby residents about the strong smell coming from its greenhouses. The facility, operated by CanAdelaar near Voorne aan Zee west of Rotterdam, was launched under a government program allowing licensed cannabis cultivation but has quickly run into trouble over environmental concerns.
Since its opening in 2023, more than 2,000 complaints have been filed by nearly 300 residents living near the site. The local environmental agency concluded that the farm was not consistently meeting odor control requirements. Following inspections, a judge ruled that the farm must take stronger measures to reduce emissions or risk heavy fines and potential shutdown.
Authorities have given CanAdelaar one week to comply with customized odor reduction rules. If it fails, the company could face fines of up to €3.5 million and be forced to halt operations. The farm’s management has said it is committed to solving the problem and has already installed air filtration systems, with more improvements on the way.
The case highlights the challenges of expanding legal cannabis production in Europe while addressing environmental standards and community concerns. Supporters argue that cannabis cultivation should be treated like any other regulated agricultural industry, while critics insist that the health and comfort of local residents must come first. For now, the future of CanAdelaar rests on whether its new odor control efforts satisfy regulators and calm public outrage.