BREDA – Cannabis smokers in two Dutch cities will be able to smoke legally for the first time on Friday as authorities begin a process to decriminalize the production and supply of weed.

A big misconception abroad is that drugs are already legal in the Netherlands – where the world-famous coffee shops (which actually sell weed) are located and which are considered a big draw for cannabis smokers.

But the drug actually exists in a legal gray area that the government wants to clear up with the four-year trial starting in Breda and Tilburg and expanding to other parts of the country.

Consuming small amounts of cannabis is technically illegal, but police have refrained from enforcing the law under a so-called “tolerance policy” that has been in place since the 1970s.

However, the production of cannabis and delivery to coffee shops is both illegal and not tolerated, meaning producers and coffee shop owners must operate in secret.

This has led to gangs becoming involved, leading to a rise in petty crime and anti-social behavior, which local officials are hoping to curb with the legal marijuana experiment.

Production will be limited to a handful of farms whose cannabis will be closely monitored before delivery to coffee shops.

Consumers are guaranteed a high quality product, whereas previously it was impossible to know where the cannabis came from – or whether it had been altered.

The levels of THC and CBD, the active ingredients in cannabis, are also measured, so users know how strong their joint is.

The Dutch move comes amid a general trend towards decriminalizing cannabis use.

Neighboring Germany has passed a law legalizing the purchase and possession of cannabis for recreational use. Adults can weigh up to 25 grams and grow up to three plants.

The drug is available in some pharmacies in Switzerland, which are also toying with decriminalizing recreational use.

Recreational use of cannabis for adults is already legal in about 20 US states.

During the Dutch experiment, independent researchers will monitor the process with a view to eventual decriminalization.

An unknown hanging over these policies – and indeed all policies – is the Geert Wilders factor after the far-right leader won elections last month.

His PVV Freedom Party wants to finally abolish the “tolerance” policy, close cafés and campaign for a “drug-free Netherlands”.

They were placed last among the parties to be elected in the last election by cannabis-kieswijzer.nl, a website that rates political parties based on their pro-cannabis policies.