Luxembourg met a possible hurdle in legalising cannabis as a parliamentary question brought to light that the current plans are in violation of international drug control treaties. The Grand Duchy is a signatory of three United Nations treaties, which together form a global drug control framework, and which lay down that cannabis may only be used for medical or research purposes. Canada has run into trouble with the International Narcotics Control Board - the guardian of the treaties - over its legalisation of recreational cannabis, and Luxembourg faces a similarly damning verdict. The government is now discussing the issue with UN authorities and with Canada, the country whose model to legalise cannabis it wants to follow, health minister Etienne Schneider in answer to a parliamentary question.

It's official: Luxembourg deputies greenlit a bill that allows for limited cannabis cultivation and consumption at home. 38 deputies voted in favour of the bill, with 22 against. The parties DP, LSAP, Déi Gréng, déi Lénk and ADR had announced in advance that they were in clear favour of bill 8033. People will be able to cultivate up to four plants in their home or usual place of residence. Cannabis plants can only be grown from seed and must not be visible from public spaces. It remains prohibited for minors. Bill 8033 further stipulates penalties in relation to illegal cannabis possession. Anyone who consumes recreational cannabis or cannabis-derived products outside their home risks a fine of between €25 and €500. (See also: Everything you need to know about the new cannabis law)

Luxembourg is set to largely follow the example of Canada in legalising the recreational use of cannabis, two ministers said after a field trip to the country where the drug has been legal since 2018. Luxembourg's plans to allow production, purchase and consumption of the drug under certain circumstances have shaped up after the trip. The ministers aim to present a legislative act by autumn this year after consulting the State Council, the advisory organ to Luxembourg's parliament. They acknowledged that "neighbouring countries aren't too happy about this", but said they would seek dialogue with these countries to look at measures to prevent smuggling. (See also: Cannabis legalisation to occur this legislature | Wegen Cannabis nach Kanada: Etienne Schneider und Felix Braz haben sich über Weed informiert)

Luxemburgo es el primer país de Europa en prepararse para la legalización del cannabis para uso recreativo. El Gran Ducado está evaluando distintos modelos para regular el cultivo, la venta y el uso de la planta. Para ello ha creado un grupo de trabajo que analizará posibles problemas y decidirá los primeros pasos de la legalización. Esto también incluye “un contacto muy estrecho” con colegas de los Países Bajos y Canadá, anunció el Gobierno. A finales de mayo, el ministro de Salud, Etienne Schneider, viajará a Canadá “para recabar información de primera mano”. En el futuro, todos los adultos de Luxemburgo podrán cultivar, comprar, poseer y consumir cannabis para uso personal, todo bajo condiciones estrictas, por supuesto, que aún tienen que ser determinadas.

El gobierno de la ciudad de Zúrich y el Hospital Universitario de Zúrich comunicaron que la Oficina Federal de Salud Pública aprobó las condiciones para la producción ecológica de dos cepas distintas de cannabis. El proyecto, Zuri Can - Cannabis con Responsabilidad, pretende estudiar el impacto del suministro regulado de cannabis en el consumo y la salud de los consumidores. El proyecto se retrasó el pasado octubre tras las objeciones de la oficina de salud. La venta de productos de cannabis en farmacias y clubes sociales a grupos de control comenzará el próximo mes de agosto. Un máximo de 2 100 participantes podrán tomar parte en el proyecto piloto a gran escala en la mayor ciudad de Suiza.

El Parlamento suizo autorizó una modificación legislativa para la realización de estudios piloto de distribución de cannabis entre grupos piloto. El objetivo es reunir más información sobre los efectos del uso recreativo de esa substancia. Sin embargo, el producto no debe ser exclusivamente de origen indígena u orgánico. Por 31 votos a favor y 7 en contra, el Senado acordó enmendar la Ley de Estupefacientes. La Cámara de Diputados ya se había pronunciado en el mismo sentido. Así, se podrán realizar estudios científicos sobre los efectos del uso controlado del cannabis. En particular, las investigaciones determinarán los efectos de las nuevas reglamentaciones sobre el uso recreativo del cannabis y sus consecuencias.

Mais de 60 personalidades defendem numa carta aberta ao parlamento a regulação da canábis e propõem que a legislação defina a idade mínima para consumo, regras para cultivo e produção e crie um imposto especial. No documento defendem que Portugal vive um momento que deve servir para "clarificar e melhorar a eficácia das políticas públicas de drogas, na defesa da saúde pública e individual, do Estado de direito e do combate ao narcotráfico". A legislação a criar deve definir uma idade mínima de consumo, limitar o nível máximo de THC, definir regras sobre o cultivo e produção orientadas para a proteção da saúde e do meio ambiente e proibir e punir a condução de veículos e máquinas sob o efeito da canábis e equipar as forças de segurança com os meios necessários para o respetivo controlo.

A major alcohol industry association is officially backing federal marijuana legalization, sending a letter to congressional leadership that implores lawmakers to “regulate adult-use cannabis at the federal level.” The Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) said that “the current conflict between state and federal law is not only causing adverse consequences for consumers and non-consumers of cannabis but will also have long-term public health and safety costs that are too great to ignore.” Now that states are even discussing ways to begin interstate commerce of the product, a “piecemeal” approach to marijuana reform is untenable, so lawmakers should “comprehensively” address the issue.

Some of Canada's biggest cannabis producers are facing proposed class-action lawsuits in the United States after investors were hit with steep financial losses in the stock market. At least nine U.S. law firms are pursuing cases against Canopy Growth, Aurora Cannabis and Hexo Corp. in American courts. Although the allegations vary, each pot producer is accused of misleading investors or failing to disclose certain problems with their businesses. When those problems became publicly known, the lawsuits claim, share prices plunged and investors were stuck with losses. "[Investors] are mad; they were taken by surprise," said Reed Kathrein, a lawyer at Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP, which is pursuing claims against all three producers.

One of the German government coalition parties clarified its stance on recreational marijuana in favor of decriminalizing possession and allowing pilot programs involving the legal distribution of adult-use cannabis. With the Social Democratic Party (SPD)’s new position, a majority of the members of the German parliament represent a political party in favor of some type of recreational marijuana reform. It’s also the first time that one of Germany’s major parties and part of the government coalition officially favors reform. The move is seen as a positive because it represents a step forward. But a long and uncertain path remains before any material adult-use cannabis reform takes place in Germany.

Growing numbers of Poles support ending prison sentences for possession of cannabis, and now make up a majority, according to a new poll by Kantar. In 2017, cannabis was made legal for medical purposes, although the law stipulates that plants cannot be grown in Poland. Possession of marijuana for personal use, however, remains illegal and can carry a prison sentence of up to three years. The poll asked whether respondents thought that “having small amounts of marijuana for personal use should be punished with imprisonment”. A total of 55% said it definitely or probably should not, while only 30% thought that it definitely or probably should.

Most Swiss accept the idea of legalising cannabis for recreational purposes provided there are rules to protect minors, according to a survey. Nearly two-thirds of people surveyed want the minimum age of consumption to be set at 18, the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) said. Two-thirds are in favor of conducting pilot tests on the controlled distribution of cannabis for recreational purposes. The survey was conducted by the Sotomo Institute from the end of January to the beginning of April. It consulted 3,166 adults living in Switzerland. About 70% of the respondents find it important to reform the cannabis law in Switzerland, according to the survey. They cite limiting the black market and improving consumer safety as important reasons for legalisation.

Tathagata Satpathy, the BJD’s chief whip in the Lok Sabha, called for legalisation of cannabis consumption. It was not the first time the four-time MP has made this pitch. His argument in the Lok Sabha was that banning cannabis consumption has led to increase in alcoholism. “Bhang was a very common intoxicant in the holy city of Puri. You could get it on the roadside. It was legally available there. It is available in Varanasi also. You have made it illegal and it has been replaced by alcohol.” He also connected rising alcohol consumption to rising crime rate.

A leading think tank today called for cannabis to be sold over the counter in pharmacies — and said legalisation for adult recreational use is a matter of “when, not if”.  The Adam Smith Institute, a non-profit organisation that promotes free-market socially liberal ideas and has strong links to the Conservative Party, said the best way for the next Tory government to tackle serious youth violence and knife crime is to legalise cannabis. Its report, “The Green Light — how legalising and regulating cannabis will reduce crime, protect children and improve safety”, calls for a Colorado-type free-market model augmented by elements of the Canadian public health approach, namely educating the public as to the harms of cannabis via product label warnings and public information campaigns.

Caribbean states face challenges of youth involvement in crime, violence, gangs and other anti-social activities. It is not uncommonly heard the “drug problem” is to be blamed for this. This briefing wants to show this relation is far more complex and often misunderstood.

Download the full report (PDF)

Malawian farmer Ethel Chilembwe has paid out hundreds of dollars, cleared six hectares of land and got ready for the training, but after two years of waiting she has not cultivated a single cannabis plant. Malawi legalised cannabis farming for industrial and medicinal use in February 2020 hoping to take advantage of the booming global demand and move away from the reliance on tobacco as an export crop. Ms Chilembwe, who has been farming tobacco in Kasungu in the west of the country for the last seven years, also scented an opportunity to replace her shrinking returns. She was not the only one - hundreds of other farmers have also been left disappointed.

A Labour government would initiate discussions on the use of cannabis for recreational use in Malta, eventually leading to its regularisation and taking it out of the hands of drug traffickers, according to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. The Labour Party is not alone in calling for a national discussion on the regularisation of cannabis. Both the Nationalist Party and the Partit Demokratiku are calling for a debate, seemingly making the three parties in favour of legalising recreational cannabis. Opposition leader Simon Busuttil called for a discussion based on scientific research, which would in turn provide an informed decision on its possible implementation.

Malta ha legalizado el cultivo y consumo de cannabis con fines recreativos. La norma, pionera en la Unión Europea, se ha podido tramitar gracias a la mayoría del Partido Laborista y sus 36 votos frente a los 27 de la oposición. La ley, que ha sido aprobada en su tercera lectura, deberá ser ratificada por el presidente de la república, George Vella, aunque su firma no es más que un formalismo. Sólo tendrán acceso al cannabis, de manera legal, los mayores de 18 años. Además, la legislación estipula un límite de posesión de cannabis y sus derivados, como el hachís, que ha estimado en 7 gramos —aunque la pena por tener entre 7 y 28 oscilará entre los 50 y 100 euros— y se podrán cultivar hasta cuatro plantas, conservando en el domicilio hasta 50 gramos de la hoja de dicha planta. 

El senador Miguel Ángel Mancera aseguró que hay condiciones para que en el próximo periodo ordinario de sesiones la Cámara Alta concluya el proceso de regularización de la marihuana. En entrevista, el coordinador del PRD en el Senado de la República reconoció que la resolución de la Primera Sala de la Suprema Corte de Justicia de la Nación (SCJN), que declaró inconstitucional penalizar la posesión de más de 5 gramos de marihuana, sienta un precedente muy importante. Además, aseguró que este fallo del Máximo Tribunal del país le vuelve a marcar al Senado la necesidad de concluir la tarea legislativa que tiene pendiente en este tema.

Hay una "infinidad" de testimonios de hoteleros que se lo hacen saber a las autoridades del Ministerio de Turismo (Mintur): una de las pregunta repetida por los turistas es si pueden comprar marihuana de forma legal. Sin embargo, para los jerarcas no es una prioridad "desarrollar" una línea de turismo cannábico y el tema no está en la agenda, aseguró el ministro Germán Cardoso. El tema volvió a discutirse esta semana luego de que el secretario de la Junta Nacional de Drogas (JND), Daniel Radío, dijera que sería un "incentivo adicional para el turismo" que los visitantes extranjeros puedan acceder a la marihuana a través del mercado legal. "Hay turistas que vienen a Uruguay a comprar marihuana y, como no pueden hacerlo, acaban en el mercando negro", dijo el jerarca a El País