Are you curious about the state of cannabis legalization in Europe? You're not the only one! A green wind is blowing through the continent and more and more countries are reviewing their cannabis policies. In this article, we take you through the latest developments and what this could mean for the future.
First, let's look at where things stand in Europe today. More and more countries are experimenting with looser cannabis policies:
But things are not rosy everywhere. In many countries, cannabis still remains illegal. Yet you can see public opinion shifting all over Europe. Research shows that more than half of Europeans (55%) favor legal cannabis sales to adults.
Of course, we cannot ignore the Netherlands when it comes to cannabis in Europe. Ever since the 1970s, the country has had a tolerance policy where coffeeshops are allowed to sell cannabis. But did you know that the supply is still illegal? This causes a lot of problems.
To solve this, the Netherlands has begun an experiment for legal cultivation. Ten companies will be licensed to grow cannabis for coffee shops in certain municipalities. Exciting to see how this turns out!
The Swiss are taking a different approach. They are conducting experiments to study the effects of legalization. There will be trials in several cities where adults can legally buy cannabis.
An interesting detail: in Switzerland, cannabis with up to 1% THC can already be sold freely. That percentage is a lot higher than in the rest of Europe.
Malta may be a small island, but it is leading the way when it comes to cannabis legalization. In late 2021, it became the first European country to fully legalize cannabis.
You may get there now:
Sales remain prohibited, but it is a big step toward fully legal cannabis.
When we talk about the future of cannabis in Europe, we cannot ignore Germany. The new government has announced plans to fully legalize cannabis.
Why is this so important? Germany is the largest economy in Europe. If they tack, it could cause a domino effect in the rest of Europe.
According to estimates, legalization in Germany would:
Luxembourg caused a stir in 2018 by announcing that they wanted to legalize cannabis. Eventually, they toned down their plans a bit. Now they have passed a law allowing home cultivation.
It remains interesting to keep an eye on Luxembourg. As a small country between big neighbors like Germany and France, it can have a lot of influence on regional policy.
While there is much movement, there are also plenty of challenges to cannabis legalization across Europe:
But there are also opportunities:
It is clear that a green wave is sweeping through Europe. More and more countries are reviewing their cannabis policies. Still, it will probably be some time before we see EU-wide legalization.
What we can expect:
It remains an exciting topic to follow. Who knows what the European cannabis landscape will look like in 5 years!
Is CBD legal in Europe?
In most European countries, CBD containing less than 0.2% THC is legal. The exact rules vary from country to country.
Which European country has the most liberal cannabis laws?
Right now, it is probably Malta, where cannabis is fully legalized for personal use.
Can I sell cannabis throughout Europe with a Dutch coffeeshop license?
No, cannabis sales remain illegal in most European countries. Dutch permits are only valid in the Netherlands.
What about medical cannabis in Europe?
Many European countries have legalized some form of medical cannabis. The accessibility and rules vary greatly from country to country.
Why doesn't the EU legalize cannabis for all member states at once?
Drug policy falls largely under the competence of individual member states. The EU can provide guidelines, but cannot enforce legalization.
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