On March 25, 2016, the interim relief judge of the District Court of Limburg again ruled in an interim relief proceeding initiated by Ms. J.J.H.M. de Crom in the context of a residential closure. After finding a small amount of hemp in a house in Maastricht, the mayor of the Municipality of Maastricht wanted to close the house for three months under Section 13b of the Opium Act. This would put the residents on the street immediately.
It was argued on behalf of the applicants that the mayor's decision could not be upheld at the objection stage and that a preliminary injunction should be granted on grounds of urgency. According to de Crom, the residence should not be closed because the hemp found in the residence was not a "commercial quantity." The quantity of hemp found in the residence was for personal use.
Given the situation of residents, the preliminary relief judge of the Limburg District Court considers the above not implausible and is of the opinion that the provision should be granted. Pending the objection phase, the Municipality of Maastricht may not close the residence.
