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European Country Plans to be First to Legalize Recreational Cannabis

European Country Plans to be First to Legalize Recreational Cannabis

World

European Country Plans to be First to Legalize Recreational Cannabis

So far, no country in Europe has legalized the production, sale and consumption of recreational cannabis.

The small country of Luxembourg could very well become the first European country to legalize recreational marijuana at the national level. According to the country’s health minister, Luxembourg has some big plans in store on the cannabis law front.

Here’s What Luxembourg is Considering

Lawmakers in Luxembourg are reportedly considering rolling out a plan to legalize recreational marijuana across the country. As of now, the plans are still in their early stages. And is not entirely clear how all the details would work.

But so far, here are some of the key changes that could be implemented if the country eventually chooses to legalize weed:

  • Lawmakers propose making it legal to possess up to 30 grams of cannabis.
  • If the country legalizes, it will establish a framework for retail.
  • So far, lawmakers said it would likely be legal to purchase, possess, and consume cannabis for people over the age of 18.
  • For people between the ages of 12 and 17, the possession of five grams or less would be decriminalized. However, possessing more than that could carry serious penalties.
  • So far, lawmakers are leaning toward prohibiting non-resident visitors from being able to purchase marijuana.
  • The country will regulate and govern not only the retail of recreational weed, but also the cultivation, production, and distribution of cannabis.
  • So far, there is confusion about the issue of public consumption. But many are urging lawmakers to allow for designated consumption sites. This, advocates say, would ensure that recreational weed is accessible to renters and people with limited or no housing.
  • At least a portion of tax revenues will reportedly be earmarked for drug education and addiction treatment programs.

As of now, all of these ideas are still in the early stages of planning. But legislators said they expect to have some formal proposals on the table by the end of the year. Further, key lawmakers hope to see legalization completed and enacted within five years.

Luxembourg Could Make EU History

Cannabis laws in Luxembourg are already relatively progressive. For example, the country has already legalized medical marijuana. Additionally, the country has decriminalized the possession of small amounts of weed. However, it currently remains illegal to buy, sell, or produce marijuana.

If Luxembourg achieves national legalization, it will be the third country in the world to do so.

Uruguay pulled it off in 2013. Then, in 2017, Uruguay took another big step forward when it began selling recreational cannabis in regular pharmacies.

More recently, Canada made all forms of marijuana legal last year. Almost immediately, the move showed massive popularity. So much so, in fact, that recreational dispensaries quickly ran out of product. And suppliers were initially unable to keep pace with demand.

Now, if Luxembourg’s plans become reality it will be the first country in the European Union with legal weed.

Interestingly, cannabis is actually not legal in the Netherlands—even though Amsterdam is recognized as one of the most 420-friendly cities in the world.

Technically, the Netherlands has never made recreational marijuana legal. Instead, it maintains a policy called “gedoogbeleid,” which is essentially a very open tolerance policy toward cannabis consumption.

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