LUXEMBOURG is to become the first European country to permit adult-use cannabis after the Government announced measures to permit households to cultivate up to four domestic plants.
The announcement, earlier today, applies to to all citizens over the age of 18 with the new regulations also allowing for the sale and import of seeds.
However, further measures first outlined in 2018 to establish a fully-regulated domestic supply of cannabis products through high street outlets, do not feature in the today’s annoncement.
Justice minister Sam Tanson described the change to the law as a first step.
Tackling Black Market Misery
“We thought we had to act, we have an issue with drugs and cannabis is the drug that is most used and is a large part of the illegal market,” she said.
“We want to start by allowing people to grow it at home. The idea is that a consumer is not in an illegal situation if he consumes cannabis and that we don’t support the whole illegal chain from production to transportation to selling where there is a lot of misery attached,” reports The Guardian.
The new measures will continue to outlaw the consumption and transport of cannabis or cannabis products in public and the consumption and transport of a quantity of up to three grams will no longer be considered a criminal offence.
This will see fines reduced to as little as €25 for possession of under three grams.
“Above three grams, nothing changes, you will be considered a dealer. Nothing changes for car drivers either: there is still zero tolerance, added Ms Tamson.
Las month BusinessCann reported the Government was under pressure to deliver on promises made three years ago in relation to introducing an adult-use cannabis market
Reforms Since 2018
In 2017, Luxembourg announced plans to legalise medical cannabis use and the following year announced its intent to legalise adult-use.
The 2018 agreement proposed a draft law to be submitted for this Autumn, with legislation by Autumn 2023,
Proposed measures for this legislation had included
-A maximum of 30 grams of cannabis may be bought per month per person
-Buyers must be over 18 years old
-No deliveries or online sales are allowed
-Only residents of over 6 months may purchase cannabis
-Consumption is prohibited in public places
-Cannabis products are to be produced exclusively in Luxembourg
-14 points of sale across the country are planned in an initial phase
-Part of the annual turnover has to be paid to the State
Whilst its population of around 600,000 does not make it a large market it will join Canada, Uruguay and around a dozen US states in permitting adult-use with more European countries also heading in this direction.
