The new law that legalizes the possession and cultivation of marijuana by adults in Luxembourg came into effect officially on Friday.
The Ministry of Justice published an announcement about the change of policy in the Official Journal earlier in the week. This was a procedural step, which meant that the legislation would be in force within four days.
It comes a little over a month after the Luxembourg Parliament passed a bill of legalization. This makes it the second European Union country to end the prohibition of cannabis after Malta’s vote for legalization in 2021.
The first proposal by the ministers for justice and homeland safety was in 2021. This law allows adults up to 3 grams of cannabis, and up to 4 plants, in a safe location in their home.
Haut trett dat neit Cannabis-Gesetz a Kraaft
D’Justizministesch @SamTanson erklaert wat ab elo erlaabt ass a wat weiderhin verbuede bleift
Weider Informatiounen ennert
https://t.co/MYPyAJuQUC pic.twitter.com/eB1NVWl8D9
— Ministere de la Justice (@MinJus_Lu) July 21, 2023
The Ministry of Health has launched a new website explaining the new cannabis laws in the country and why they were changed.
The site states that “authorization of home cultivation, and the reduction in penalties for small amounts of cannabis in public areas represent the first phase in the implementation pilot project for the legal access to marijuana for non-medical uses.”
The government notes that by regulating the home cultivation of cannabis, it intends to control its consumption as well as reduce the risks and harms associated with this. The decision is part a proactive, constructive approach to public health that stems from a desire on the part of politicians to strike a balance between prevention and risk reduction while combating crime.
The site provides basic information about marijuana as well as an overview of growing at home. It also notes that “seeds used for self-cultivation can be bought in shops and online.”
The legislation, which is now in place, imposes penalties for possession or cultivation of marijuana that exceeds the allowed amount. A prison sentence up to six-months could be imposed on anyone who purchases and possesses more than three grams. This is a harsh penalty, considering that the possession limit is only three grams. Public consumption is also prohibited.
Sam Tanson, the Minister of Justice, said at the end of last month’s discussion that cannabis criminalization was an “absolute failure”. Therefore, she stated, “we need to dare take another path” in order to “seek solutions.”
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It has been a while since this development, because a coalition major parties in Luxembourg decided to pass legislation allowing cannabis “to be exempt from punishment or legalization”.
The government of Germany, a neighboring country, has said that it is committed to legalizing marijuana under a model with varying levels of regulation.
The German Ministry of Health released a draft law earlier this month to legalize possession, cultivation, and social clubs. This is the first part of a two-part framework for reform.
Last year , top officials from Germany and Luxembourg, Malta, and the Netherlands met for the first time , to discuss plans and obstacles associated with legalizing recreational cannabis.
In a new international survey released last year , the majority of respondents in Germany and other key European countries supported legalization.
White House Officials discuss marijuana reform with top Wisconsin Senate Democrat
The article Marijuana Legalization Law officially takes effect in Luxembourg first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
