Cannabis regulation and local authorities in Europe

Bottom-up policy reform for cannabis regulation

Transnational Institute (TNI)
March 2019

Local and regional authorities across Europe are confronted with the negative consequences of a persisting illicit cannabis market. Increasingly, local and regional authorities, non-governmental pressure groups and grassroots movements are advocating a regulation of the recreational cannabis market. The Transnational Institute (TNI) analysed possible cannabis market regulation models (in Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands) to allow local authorities to share best practices and improve the understanding of drug markets as a means to reduce the negative consequences of illicit drug markets on individuals and society.

In order to better understand the situation around, and possibilities for, local and regional cannabis regulation, a series of six country reports were developed. The country reports provide detailed information about the state of cannabis policy in each country, and the possibilities for change, within each country. A final comparative report summarises some of the key findings from the research and explores opportunities, obstacles, and strategies for cannabis regulation at the municipal and regional level.

A policy briefing reflects the main points of the comparative report. In November 2018, the Cannabis in the City interactive seminar brought together activists, scholars, and local policy makers to share the preliminary findings from this research, to discuss the challenges and opportunities for local authorities, and to strategise about possibilities for local cannabis regulation in Europe.

The outcomes will be shared with policy makers, local authorities, civil society, media, and academics to provide input for the EU level policy discussions. The publications and conference are part of the "New Approaches in Harm Reduction Policies and Practices" project.