• Germany will likely legalize adult-use cannabis in 2024

    The so-called Traffic Light coalition, made of the Social Democratic Party, the Free Democratic Party, and The Greens, has finally reached an agreement on establishing the rules for the regulation of cannabis in Germany
    Forbes (US)
    Tuesday, November 28, 2023

    cannabis germany2The coalition government in Germany is finalizing details for long-awaited cannabis legalization, including dates for cannabis cultivation and the establishment of cannabis clubs. The legalization of cannabis possession and cultivation will take effect on April 1, 2024, while the establishment of cannabis social clubs is expected to become possible from July 1. The coalition has adjusted the rules concerning the possession and consumption of cannabis, aiming to make them less stringent than initially intended. The quantity of dried cannabis allowed for home cultivation is set to be doubled, increasing from 25 to 50 grams.

  • German government to loosen up cannabis legalisation law

    Germany's coalition government has agreed the final draft of the law to legalise cannabis - and plans to relax the rules even more than previously planned
    The Local (Germany)
    Monday, November 27, 2023

    germany legal aber lauterbachRecreational use of cannabis is set to become legal in Germany. The government has agreed the final draft of the legislation that will be discussed and voted on in the Bundestag next year. According to the latest draft, the bill is set to be less strict than previously planned. Possession of up to 50 grams will be allowed - instead of 25g. Criminal liability will only apply from people being in possession of 60g in private areas, and from 30g in public areas. The possession and consumption of cannabis will remain prohibited for young people under the age of 18. In a second later phase, the government plans to set up so-called "model cities" that will pilot the sale of weed in licensed shops. (See also: Ent­kri­mi­na­li­sie­rung zum 1. April 2024)

  • Cannabis : pourquoi la France bloque quand nos voisins européens assouplissent la législation

    « Aujourd'hui la lutte contre la consommation de cannabis coûte très cher à l'État français »
    Le Républicain Lorrain (France)
    Dimanche, 19 novembre 2023

    europe cannabis« Clubs de cannabis, culture à domicile, Weed care… » : l'Allemagne, le Luxembourg, les Pays-Bas, la Belgique et la Suisse - ces pays frontaliers de la Lorraine et de la Franche-Comté - assouplissent leurs législations et le regard de la société sur l’usage du cannabis. La France maintient, quoi qu'il en coûte, une politique de prohibition stricte et refuse aujourd'hui d'ouvrir un débat de société sur ce fait de société. Qui sont ces fumeurs de joints, combien coûte la prohibition stricte à la française, où en sont les français avec le cannabis ? État des lieux en France et à quelques encablures de nos régions.

  • ‘Prohibition is failing’

    Ex-AFP boss says criminalising cannabis use does more harm than good
    The Age (Australia)
    Wednesday, November 15, 2023

    australia cannabisFormer Australian Federal Police boss Mick Palmer has said the prohibition of cannabis use “is not just failing, it is causing real harm” as he described his journey from a hard-nosed policeman to a vocal advocate for cannabis law reform. He said the widespread use of cannabis indicated fear of arrest was not working as a deterrent. In 2019, 37 per cent of Australians said they had used cannabis at least once. However, for those unfortunate enough to be arrested for use and possession of cannabis, Palmer said, the outcome could be a “severe, whole-of-life” punishment, with convictions having the ability to wreck people’s careers. (See also: A new leaf? Push for Victoria to lead the way on cannabis legalisation)

  • Spain’s confusing cannabis policies spark similar problems faced by US states

    Legal confusion over the drug’s status in regions like Catalonia and open European borders are allowing the illicit market to flourish
    Politico (US)
    Sunday, November 12, 2023

    spain csc barcelona selling“For some years, there was the possibility to regulate [cannabis in Spain] and keep it in the hands of those who aren’t crime-related,” said Óscar Parés, deputy director of the Barcelona-based ICEERS, speaking of past efforts to regulate cannabis clubs in regions of Spain like Catalonia. “We missed the train somehow.” Catalonia is home to some of the world’s oldest cannabis consumption spaces, with the first club opening in Barcelona in 2001. As of 2023, Catalonian law enforcement estimates there are 450 cannabis clubs in the region. Catalonia’s clubs have become a model for other European countries looking to legalize cannabis consumption without running afoul of EU and international law.

  • High times in Basel: Swiss city experiments with recreational cannabis

    Switzerland has launched legal cannabis experiments in various cities this year to assess the benefits of regulating the supply of the recreational drug
    Swissinfo (Switzerland)
    Wednesday, November 1, 2023

    switzerland basel cannabis pharmacy370 adults taking part in Basel’s “Weed Care” scheme – a 2.5-year recreational pot smoking study. Its aim is to examine the impact of regulated cannabis supply on the health and consumption behaviour of users with a view to possible changes to the Swiss law. Basel was the first of seven Swiss cities to launch scientific studies this year. The results - especially on health risks, smoking habits and problematic consumption - will be closely scrutinised in the coming years. The pilot projects have public support yet remain contentious. Could Switzerland’s cautious step-by-step scientific approach offer a new way forward for countries considering whether to allow recreational cannabis? (See also: Switzerland’s pioneering legal cannabis experiment: Basel’s story)

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