2026 marks ten years since the sudden passing of Joep Oomen, a pivotal figure in the global movement for drug policy reform.

A Dutch-born, Antwerp-based activist, Joep was a tireless advocate for a world where drug policy is based on health and human rights, rather than repression. He was a rare kind of activist, combining an inexhaustible work ethic with impeccable integrity.

In 1993, Joep co-founded Encod, the European coalition for just and effective drug policies. As a coordinator fluent in five languages, he grew Encod into a unique grassroots coalition representing voices from across Europe and beyond.

In 2006, he founded “Trekt Uw Plant” in Antwerp, Belgium’s first Cannabis Social Club (CSC). By utilizing a legal loophole, the club successfully challenged prohibition in court; despite three separate prosecutions, they were acquitted each time.

In the Netherlands, Joep co-founded the VOC (Union for the Abolition of Cannabis Prohibition), chairing their monthly meetings with endless patience and diplomatic skills.

For Joep, drug policy reform was a tool for social justice. His activism was never just about plants; it was about human rights. He was a pillar of the Latin American Federation, the Friends of the Coca Leaf and a dedicated coordinator for a homeless shelter in Antwerp.

Joep Oomen passed away in his sleep in Antwerp on March 18, 2016, the day after Encod presented the Cannabis Social Club model at the UN in Vienna.

Ten years later, while countries like Malta and Germany have legalized such clubs, a key element of Joep’s vision is often being overlooked. By prohibiting on-site consumption, lawmakers strip the clubs of their essential social function: providing a safe, shared space for enjoying cannabis together.

A decade after his passing, Joep’s dedication and vision remain an inspiration to drug reform activists worldwide. Today, Encod stands firm in its commitment to promoting just and effective drug policies rooted in human rights, public health and social equity.