In 2023, the momentum for drug policy change continued to grow in many countries around the world. The European Union issued the first licenses for non-profit cannabis associations, and the EU’s biggest economy took steps to legalize marijuana for adults. A number of countries in Europe and South America also marked major drug policy reform milestones this past year.
But 2023 was also marked by a series of setbacks. Delays in the legalization of cannabis, for example, in Colombia and Germany have frustrated supporters and pushed important votes into next year. In the midst of Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine, tragedy is fueling a push for medical marijuana. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that it could help heal “the stress and trauma of war.”
In 2023, even countries with progressive drug laws made history. In the Netherlands, consumers bought and smoked their first legal marijuana in an attempt to regulate the long-tolerated cannabis industry.
The following are the top international marijuana and drug policies stories for 2023.
Germany
In April , Health Minister Karl Lauterbach shared the details of a revised legalization plan. The following month, he sent the legislative text on to the cabinet officials.
In its current form the plan would implement policy changes in a staggered manner, allowing adults to possess and cultivate cannabis at home from April. In July, social clubs that can distribute marijuana to their members will open.
Supporters remain hopeful, even though a vote on the proposal was delayed until next year. Kirsten Kappert Gonther, Green Party member in the Bundestag (Germany’s parliament), said that the April date set for the start of certain elements of legalization “could still be achieved” if the bill was passed at the beginning next year.
After the final reading of the bill in the Bundestag it will be sent to the Bundesrat. This is a separate legislative organ that represents the German states. The Bundesrat members tried to stop the reform in September, but ultimately won.
The legislation is a step back from the plans announced last summer to legalize nationwide commercial cannabis sales. However, officials plan to introduce a second complementary measure to establish pilot programs to allow commercial sales to take place in specific cities. This proposal will be revealed after it has been submitted to the European Commission to review.
Malta
Malta, the smallest country in the European Union, , became the first nation on the continent to legalize marijuana two years ago. The nation has continued to implement the reform this year by becoming the leader in issuing licenses to nonprofit “cannabis association” for the beginning of cultivating the plant.
ARUC’s Executive Chair Leonid MacKay announced in October that two associations, KDD Society, and Ta’ Zelli were granted operational licenses, allowing both to start cultivation. Four other associations received in-principle licensing. The associations will begin legal distribution of the products to their members in February 2024, after lab testing.
Malta’s new licenses are unique in Europe. While similar entities exist informally in other parts Europe, Malta is the first EU country to issue such licenses.
Cannabis associations may have up to 500 members, and they are only allowed to distribute 7 grams of cannabis per member per day. The maximum is 50 grams per person per month. The cannabis associations can also give away up to 20 seeds per month. The purpose of the legislation is to “allow for an balance between individual freedom and a limited and responsible use of cannabis by individuals and other social requirements.”
Colombia
Colombian lawmakers have made significant progress towards legalizing marijuana by 2023. They passed legislation through both the Senate and the Chamber of Representatives. In December, however, after supporters urged the Senate to consider the bill urgently, the entire chamber decided to put the proposal on hold during the fourth of the eight debates required to adopt the constitutional change.
This means that the advocates will need to start their two-year process again in 2024.
Rep. Juan Carlos Losada who championed the legalization of simple drug possession in the Chamber of Representatives blamed his defeat on the “misinformation,” from opponents including members of the party he represents, regarding a separate administrative order to legalize it fully.
Losada stated after the vote that “we will continue to fight for a change of drug policy. We are convinced that this is the only way we can end the war, and truly prevent problematic consumption as well as the impact on most vulnerable populations.” “We will persist until misinformation, and manipulations, are no longer at the forefront of this debate,” Losada said after the vote.
The President Gustavo Petro who, in October , criticized the U.S. led global drug war for its “enormous hysteria” after smelling pot on a trip to New York has stated that the recent setback would only perpetuate the illegal drug trafficking, and violence associated with an unregulated trade.
The Senate stalled the measure in its final stages during the last session, forcing advocates to restart the long legislative process.
Ukraine
The year ended with lawmakers in Ukraine signing off on a law to legalize medical cannabis nationally. This bill will be signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky who supports this reform.
The measure would allow medical cannabis to be used by patients suffering from severe illnesses or post-traumatic disorder (PTSD), resulting from the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which began nearly two years prior.
Verkhovna Rada (the unicameral parliament of Ukraine) passed the bill on December 21, , with 248 votes. This was after opponents tried to block the proposal in November with hundreds of amendments that critics dubbed “spam”.
According to a translated statement, “The draft medical cannabis law is intended exclusively for Ukrainians who need it.” MP Maria Mezentseva. “Medicines are only available on prescription, and only modern products in Ukraine can be produced to avoid any corruption risk.”
Six months after Zelensky’s signature, the law will come into effect.
Zelensky, who ran for president in 2016, also expressed support for the legalization of medical cannabis. He said that it would “normal” to let people access “droplets” of cannabis, which is thought to refer to marijuana tinctures.
This policy change would place Ukraine in stark contrast with its longtime aggressor Russia. Russia has taken an especially strong position against the reformation of cannabis policy on the international level via the United Nations. Canada has been condemned for legalizing marijuana in all of its provinces.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg became the second European Union nation, after Malta, in legalizing marijuana cultivation and possession this summer. In June , lawmakers approved a marijuana legalization bill which went into effect in the month following.
First proposed in 2021 by the ministers for justice and homeland safety, this change allows adults to grow and possess up to four cannabis plants in a safe location in their home. Cannabis seeds are now legal and available in shops or online.
The Ministry of Health said that by regulating the home cultivation of cannabis, the government intends to control its consumption as well as reduce the risks and harms associated with it. 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.
Italy
Nearly two-years after an Italian top court prevented a referendum on marijuana and psychedelics reform, activists are now promoting a limited version of the proposal. organizers circulated a petition in December for a cannabis only measure which would allow for the home cultivation up to four plants.
After only a week of the signature campaign, supporters have announced that they are well ahead of schedule to collect the 50,000 signatures required to force legislators to take the measure into consideration. They’ve already collected almost half. Within the first 24 hour period, nearly 10,000 signatures were collected.
Marijuana Moment reported that “the enthusiastic response underscores this issue’s importance.” Antonella Soldo is the coordinator of Associazione Meglio Legale, one of the petitions leading advocacy groups. We are confident that our initiative will be well received by the public, as it is based on scientific evidence, and is inspired by successful models used in other European countries, such as Germany.
Switzerland
Switzerland began a pilot program for regulated cannabis sales in select locations this year. In Zurich for instance, a group of 2100 residents was allowed to purchase marijuana at pharmacies and social club. The participants were asked to answer questions regarding how they used the products, and the health effects of the products as part of an experiment with the University of Zurich.
Nearly 4,000 people will be able to participate in the “Grashaus project” study, which is also being conducted in Basel-Landschaft.
Additional studies with university sponsors are planned for Bern, Lausanne Geneva, Biel Thun, Olten, Winterthur, Biel and Biel.
According to reports, the Swiss government said that this pilot program was designed to provide insights into consumers’ consumption patterns, their physical and mental health, performance and productivity as well as protections for youth and public safety, among other aspects.
Netherlands
Two Dutch cities, Tilburg and Breta, began selling legally grown cannabis in mid-December. The Netherlands is known for its tolerance when it comes to the sale of marijuana in coffeeshops. However, the cultivation of the plant remains illegal.
The program may eventually be expanded to 11 municipalities in the country after a six-month test period.
Bart Vollenberg said that growing marijuana for this experiment helps to improve quality control and safety for consumers.
He told the Associated Press that “the most important advantage is that this is not criminal activity and it becomes transparent.” You can test the weeds in the lab. We can improve the quality of weeds now, using the Dutch horticulture’s knowledge and expertise. “There is no need to take all sorts of illegal turns.”
Derrick Bergman is the chairman of the Union for the Abolition of Cannabis Prohibition.
The Most important federal and congressional marijuana policy developments of 2023
Photo by Mike Latimer.
The post Marijuana Legalization Progresses In Several Country Were Among the Biggest International Cannabis News Stories of 2023 first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
