In Belgium, Flemish Liberals and Democrats in favor of legalizing cannabis

Around 250 Flemish liberals and democrats from the Open VLD party gathered in Antwerp on Saturday for a one-day congress. The party endorsed a statement by the Young VLD party that cannabis should be legalized in Belgium.

For party chairman Egbert Lachaert: «the legalization of soft drugs is an important step. Nor does removing them from criminal law encourage their use.»

He continues, «With the proceeds from the sale of cannabis, Open VLD wants to do prevention, as is the case today with alcohol and cigarettes. An amendment proposing to examine whether all drugs can be removed from the penal code was rejected by members of Congress.»

The original proposal read as follows:

«Cannabis is removed from criminal law and made legal. Under the Canadian model, adult consumption is authorized. Production, distribution and sales are regulated and controlled by the government.

At the same time, when it comes to drugs, the government must invest more in prevention, deterrence and care. We are creating a legal framework for harm reduction.»

https://twitter.com/Jongvld/status/1571122201428119552

And the other parties?

Georges-Louis Bouchez, president of the Mouvement Réformateur (MR), the party of Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès, said indicated in an interview that he was personally in favor of legalizing cannabis.

The mayor of Brussels and member of the Socialist Party, Philippe Close, is calling for cannabis to be legalized.

The Ecolo party follows the PS, with the idea of decriminalization that takes the issue out of the legal sphere and focuses on a health angle. Les Engagés are of the same opinion. DéFI would also like to see consumption and sales regulated.

In Flanders, the parties are much less enthusiastic. The CD&V (like the N-VA and Vlaams Belang) is clearly against the decriminalization of recreational drugs. Vooruit is in favor, as is Groen.