In the Netherlands, substances that are not explicitly scheduled are covered by a law which states that if a medicinal preparation is not registered, it is illegal to supply it without a pharmacist license. Pharmacists may supply unregistered medicinal preparations as experimental medications, with a statement of informed consent from the patient, and a prescription from their doctor.

Cannabis (hennep, in Dutch) is listed as illegal under Dutch law. There is a more or less formalized policy of ignoring the law under certain conditions, and this policy sets the precedent that makes it impossible to prosecute under these conditions (e.g. sale in coffeeshop, posession for personal use).