How does a Social Club fit in the Dutch capital, with its about 200 coffee shops? "The concept of The Tree of Life is very different than a coffeeshop," says Rosaria Ricci, president of the club. "First of all, it is not for profit. Secondly, it addresses marijuana lovers and not anonymous customers. Plus, the association also has a political goal: to change the current legislation. The cultivation of marijuana is not allowed at the moment. Finally, it focuses on the therapeutic functions of cannabis from a scientific point of view. All these elements are almost entirely absent within the activity of a coffeeshop."