This summer there has been good hemp news from Europe, as Luxembourg legalized THC cultivation, use and possession of cannabis containing cannabis for private use with certain restrictions. Until now, the cultivation of CBD-containing plants, as well as the sale and use of CBD products, has been allowed, but with the reform of the law, at home, hidden from view, you can grow four plants containing THC and possess 3 grams of flowering for recreational or medicinal use. (1,2)
Germany follows
Likewise, a bill was passed in Germany , which, when it enters into force, will make the German cannabis law the most permissive in Europe. The German law reform still needs to be refined and adapted to different states, but the plans are that German citizens over the age of 18 who belong to the cannabis club would be allowed to both grow and possess THC-containing cannabis. A maximum of three plants could be grown at a time, and the purchase limit is planned to be 25 grams per day, with a maximum of 50 g per month for those over 21 and a maximum of 30 g per month for those under 21. (3)
With the law reform, a maximum of three plants can be grown in Germany at a time and a maximum of 25 grams of cannabis can be purchased per day.
The legalization wave in Europe started in Malta
The wave of legalization in Europe was first started by Malta in 2021, where the recreational use of cannabis is allowed for adults, limiting its use to seven (7) grams and four home-grown plants. (4)
The amendment to the law was voted on in Parliament in 2021, where the law was approved by a vote of 36-27. Owen Bonnici, also known as the “equality minister” who pushed the bill, says that Malta is trying to reduce the harms related to the use of cannabis with permissive legislation. The use of cannabis will continue to be prohibited in public places, and if cannabis is used in front of children, fines of 300-500 euros will follow. (4)
The purpose of the law reform is to reduce harm
The legal reforms aim to reduce the harms of cannabis and organized crime, as has happened in many countries after legalization. Also in many other countries, such as in Finland , there has recently been a strong debate and new legal initiatives for the legalization of cannabis. The future will show which of the European countries will be next.
Sources
- Information from the Luxembourg Ministry of Justice. https://gouvernement.lu/fr/actualites/toutes_actualites/communiques/2023/07-juillet/18-loi-cannabis.html. Referenced 3/10/2023
- RTL today. 2023. Luxembourg legalises cultivation and consumption of cannabis at home. https://today.rtl.lu/news/luxembourg/a/2079984.html. Referenced 3/10/2023
- Sky news. 2023. Germany approves landmark bill to liberalise cannabis use and sale. https://news.sky.com/story/germany-approves-landmark-bill-to-liberalise-cannabis-use-and-sale-12941086. Referenced 3/10/2023.
- Reuters. 2021. Malta becomes first European nation to approve cannabis for personal use. https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/malta-parliament-set-approve-cannabis-personal-use-2021-12-14/. Referred on 6/10/2023
