Philips, marijuana entrepreneur fight over grow lamp use

A former purchaser of Philips grow lamps, who used them to improve cannabis production, is suing the company for preventing him from buying their products, reports broadcaster NOS. Philips stopped supplying the lamps to the entrepreneur because it did not want to be involved with production of cannabis.

Philips is countersuing the entrepreneur, Hans Zondervan, claiming he violated the agreement under which he was not to approach the company staff about further supply of lamps. The company states that in spite of the agreement, he approached its personnel 128 times since 2013 about further shipments. Philips wants 12.8 million euros in damages from Zondervan. Arguments are preparing for a May 21 courtroom deadline in Amsterdam.

Zondervan himself states that the massive Dutch company continues to supply different products to the cannabis industry. He is also counter-suing, and claiming damages from Philips for the lost revenue in his business.

Philips supplies lamps to professional fruit and vegetable growers. Since 2012, the company monitors customers who procure the lamps to ensure that its products are not used in the weed industry.