European countries that are widening their cannabis policies should invest in monitoring and evaluation to understand the impact on public health and safety, according to the European Drug Report for 2023 issued by the EU drugs agency (EMCDDA). Cannabis remained the most commonly used drug in Europe in 2021, with around eight per cent (22.6 million) of adults estimated to have used cannabis “in the last year”. Malta legislated for home growing and use in private, alongside non-profit communal growing clubs, for recreational purposes. Germany and Luxembourg are planning to permit home growing. The Netherlands is piloting a model for a closed cannabis supply chain for cannabis coffee shops and Czechia has announced plans for a regulated and taxed distribution system.

While in the Americas cannabis policy reform is taking off, Europe seems to be lagging behind. That is to say, in European nations at the level of national governments – where denial of the changing policy landscape and inertia to act upon calls for change reigns. At the local level, however, disenchantment with the current cannabis regime gives rise to new ideas. In several countries in Eu­rope, local and regional authorities are looking at regulation, either pressured by grassroots movements – in particular the Cannabis Social Clubs(CSCs) – or due to the involve­ment of criminal groups and public disorder.

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Local and regional authorities across Europe are confronted with the negative consequences of a persisting illicit cannabis market. Increasingly, local and regional authorities, non-governmental pressure groups and grassroots movements are advocating a regulation of the recreational cannabis market. The Transnational Institute (TNI) analysed possible cannabis market regulation models (in Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands) to allow local authorities to share best practices and improve the understanding of drug markets as a means to reduce the negative consequences of illicit drug markets on individuals and society.

Eine Hanfpflanze ist ihr Vereinslogo, der Kampf für die Legalisierung von Cannabis ihr größtes Ziel: Der erste Cannabis Social Club (CSC) hat in Hamburg Wurzeln geschlagen. Doch ganz so reibungslos funktionierte die Gründung nicht: Das Amtsgericht erklärte die Satzung für unzulässig.

Bremen wird also nach dem 2017 gescheiterten Vorstoß im Bundesrat (damals gemeinsam mit Thüringen) nun für die Landesebene prüfen, unter welchen Bedingungen ein Modellprojekt, in dem die kontrollierte Abgabe des Rauschmittels durch wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen flankiert wird, möglich ist. Auf Bundesebene soll sich der Senat für eine Reform des Strafgesetzes in puncto Drogen einsetzen. Was das Bremer Modellprojekt angeht muss die Regierung nun entscheiden, ob man sich Berlin anschließt, das derzeit nach einem abgelehnten Antrag auf ein eigenes Cannabis-Versuchsprojekt bei der zuständigen Bundesbehörde für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte Rechtsmittel prüft, oder einen eigenen Antrag stellt.

En la última audiencia de la Comisión de Salud del Parlamento alemán (Bundestag), antes de las elecciones de septiembre, no se habló sobre el coronavirus, sino sobre el cannabis. Esta no era la primera vez en el año que los políticos de los distintos partidos y los expertos invitados a la audiencia abordaban propuestas para una política de drogas diferente. Esta vez se debatió, a pedido del grupo parlamentario del Partido Demócrata Liberal (FDP), una distribución legal controlada de "cannabis con fines de consumo" entre los adultos, como exigieron los liberales en la moción. Y en vista de la creciente demanda mundial para su uso medicinal y recreativo, incluso tienen en mente un "Cannabis made in Germany" como posible artículo de exportación.

With Marseille, one of France’s main drug trafficking hubs, having recorded around 32 deaths since the start of the year related mainly to cannabis trafficking, calls for decriminalising or even legalising cannabis are now multiplying. One such call comes from the French Economic, Social and Environmental Council (EESC), which, in an opinion published on Monday (28 August), once again called for the controlled legalisation of cannabis in France. This is not the first time that the EESC has taken up the issue. Earlier this year, it recommended moving towards legalisingcannabis as a means of putting in place an effective prevention policy and combating trafficking and violence.

First-mover advantage: It’s a phrase long used by Canadian cannabis companies that have spent billions of dollars to accelerate their international sprawl since legalization in 2018. But as Germany moves to open its adult-use market, it remains unclear to what degree Canada’s early start will help its companies succeed abroad. While medical cannabis has been legal since 2017, Germany would be the first country in the European Union to legalize the drug for recreational use. As Europe’s largest economy with nearly double Canada’s population, Germany’s recreational market is expected to quickly outpace domestic demand. With the prospect of a new cash source in grasp, Canadian companies are jostling to position themselves to capitalize on the new opportunity.

Tourists in Prague may get the impression that the Czech capital is also the cannabis capital of Europe. From stickers to posters, the iconic leaf of the marijuana plant is all over the place. It adorns the windows and facades of plenty of shops offering everything someone might need to grow the plant. But that first impression is misleading. These products contain at most 1% of the psychoactive substance tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and they won't get you high. The possession of up to 10 grams of marijuana, hashish or hemp oil or the growing of up to five cannabis plants is an offense with a fine of up to €500. Around 20,000 Czechs are fined each year. (See also: Czech Republic plans to legalize cannabis in coordination with Germany)

In Germany, the purchase and possession of 20 grams of cannabis from the age of 18 should in principle be exempt from punishment.This emerges from the key points of Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) for the planned legalization of cannabis.They are currently being coordinated between the ministries involved. After that, the self-cultivation of up to two cannabis plants should also be allowed.The amount of the intoxicating substance THC in legalized cannabis should not exceed 15 percent.In order to prevent "cannabis-related brain damage", however, only products with a maximum THC content of 10 percent may be sold to young people between 18 and 21 years of age. (See also:Germany’s plan to legalize cannabis is out. Here’s what it says | Ampel will sich inter­na­tional abstimmen)

El distrito berlinés de Friedrichhain-Kreuzberg pidió una autorización para crear dos locales para la venta legal de hachís y marihuana bajo control estatal. La petición fue dirigida por la alcaldesa de ese distrito, Monika Hermann, al Instituto Federal de Medicamentos y Productos Médicos que tiene tres meses para aceptarla o rechazarla. Ese instituto puede hacer excepciones a la ley que prohíbe la venta de drogas ilegales en caso de que haya un interés científico o comunitario.

Mit der kontrollierten und regulierten Abgabe von Cannabis in Deutschland werden wir europäische Geschichte schreiben. Denn als größtes EU-Land sind wir beispielgebend für andere Staaten. Das Thema ist extrem komplex und voller Fallstricke. Es macht keinen Sinn, jetzt die Legalisierung übers Knie zu brechen, wenn dann wenig später die Verkaufsstellen wieder schließen müssen, weil wir etwas vergessen haben. Das ist kein Gesetz, das man so einfach aus dem Ärmel schütteln kann. Es gibt aber schon zahlreiche Vorarbeiten, auf die wir aufbauen können, etwa der Entwurf der Grünen für ein Cannabis-Kontrollgesetz. (See some relevant quotes in English)

The criminalisation of people who use drugs compounds drug-related challenges and worsens health and welfare outcomes. Across the world, there is a growing number of jurisdictions where the possession of scheduled drugs for personal use has been decriminalised. In some countries and federal states, this has been extended to the cultivation of cannabis for personal use or the sharing of substances where there is no financial gain (also known as ‘social sharing’). In some legal systems criminal penalties are replaced by civil sanctions, while in other systems no penalties are applied – please see our glossary for more detailed definitions. Some form of decriminalisation has been adopted in 30 countries – with significant differences and levels of effectiveness. This interactive map provides an overview of these models, offering insights into decriminalisation laws, their implementation and impact.

Drug Decriminalisation Across the World

Many countries are changing the way they approach people who use drugs. The Irish government has just announced possible alternatives to criminalisation for possession of some drugs. Other countries, including Norway and Malaysia, are weighing options. But what can countries do if they don’t want to arrest or convict people because they use drugs? To inform the Irish government’s decision, we carried out a detailed review of approaches in various countries, including Australia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Jamaica, the Netherlands, Portugal, the UK and the US. We found three main approaches: depenalisation, diversion and decriminalisation. Given some models bring greater long-term gains, there is merit in arguing that governments ought to be bold.

The Federal Commissioner on Narcotic Drugs, Daniela Ludwig (CSU), advocates that in future the possession of cannabis up to a personal use limit of six grammes should be prosecuted nationwide as an administrative offence and no longer as a criminal offence. The amount of 15 grammes tolerated in Berlin, however, is "clearly" too high, Ludwig said. There, more young people smoke pot than anywhere else in Germany. Ludwig recommends that the CDU/CSU seek a compromise on the issue of cannabis with possible coalition partners after the federal elections. "It is clear that cannabis is not as dangerous as cocaine or heroin. It is also true that the issue must be about different, better sanctions and about relieving the police and the judiciary," she stressed.

City councillors in Düsseldorf, capital of Germany's most populous state, are following Berlin in planning a pilot project in which cannabis could be sold legally to adults. The move is the result of a joint push by the three parties which form the city's governing coalition, the Social Democratic Party (SPD), Greens and Free Democratic Party (FDP), the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reports. Now civil servants in Düsseldorf must apply to the Federal Institute for Medicines (BfArM) for a license.

Düsseldorf took the next step in its plan to legalize the regulated sale of recreational cannabis to over 18 year-­olds, taking advice from experts in psychology, crime and economics during a consultation at City Hall. Representatives from the Cologne and Münster city councils interested in pur­suing similar schemes were also present at the meeting. The proposal for cannabis legalization in Düsseldorf was first put forward a year ago by the City Council's "traffic light" (red-yellow-green) coalition of Social Democrats, liberal Free Democrats and Greens. (Kiffen soll in Düsseldorf legal werden | Düsseldorf hopes to pull other cities onto weed legalization plan)

Socialdemócratas, liberales y Los Verdes han aprobado un plan para regular el comercio legal de cannabis siguiendo los pasos de un distrito de Berlín. El Instituto Federal de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios debe decidir si aprueba las licencias necesarias para llevar a cabo estos proyectos. En el estado federado de Bremen, los socialdemócratas y el Partido Verde pactaron que la posesión y el consumo de marihuana dejaran de estar penalizados. Un primer paso para la revolución verde en el Alemania, donde tres millones de ciudadanos aseguran fumar.

Im Rathaus Düsseldorf gibt es eine große Mehrheit für die Legalisierung von Cannabis: Nach einer hitzigen Debatte beschloss die Ampelkoalition aus SPD, FDP und Grünen im Ausschuss für Gesundheit und Soziales mit den Stimmen der Linken, die Verwaltung damit zu beauftragen, beim Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte eine Sondergenehmigung für eine "lizensierte Abgabe von Cannabisprodukten" zu bekommen. (Mehr dazu: Düsseldorf will Verkaufsstellen für Cannabis | Cannabis in Düsseldorf - Noch hohe Hürden bis zum Coffeeshop)

Politisch ist es umstritten, doch die Ampel-Kooperation im Düsseldorfer Rat und Gesundheitsdezernent Andreas Meyer-Falcke halten eine lizensierte Abgabe von Cannabis an Erwachsene im Rahmen eines Pilotprojekts für wünschenswert. Die Verwaltung habe deshalb einen interkommunalen Austausch angestoßen. Positive Rückmeldungen gebe es aus den Niederlanden. Die Gemeinde Venlo habe Interesse an einem Gedankenaustausch und würde sich „gegebenenfalls an einem gemeinsamen Cannabis-Projekt beteiligen“. Zudem werde mit dem Leiter des Deutschen Instituts für Sucht- und Präventionsforschung der Katholischen Hochschule in Köln eine Untersuchung abgestimmt. (Mehr dazu: Demonstration in Düsseldorf: Breites Bündnis fordert Legalisierung von Cannabis)