Denmark: 5 political parties declare themselves in favor of legalizing cannabis

In a joint statement, Five Danish political parties (The Alternative, the Unity List, the Socialist People's Party, the Social Liberal Party, and the Liberal Alliance) support the legalization of cannabis.

Although cannabis has been illegal in Denmark since 1955 and the law has been tightened five times since then, cannabis use has never declined, the parties explain.

Marlene Borst Hansen of the Social Liberal Party points out that her party has proposed a three-year trial period during which cannabis could be purchased legally—for example, at pharmacies—while the Alternative Party has also indicated that pharmacies are a potential point of sale.

«The approaches we've tried over the past few years haven't worked. So we need to try something new,» Hansen said.

Legalization will not eliminate illegal sales, but it will significantly reduce demand for cannabis from illegal sellers, according to the five parties.

«It is extremely important that we have prices in the legal market that compete with those in the illegal market. I think that would eliminate a huge portion of the illegal market,« said Torsten Gejl, spokesperson for the Alternative party.

«And if motorcycle gangs continue to sell to minors, we must crack down on them,» he added.

In recent weeks, law enforcement has carried out large-scale operations in the free district of Christiania, historically known for its over-the-counter sale of cannabis. According to the press release, these crackdowns are a «waste of resources on a never-ending war.» It also points out that cannabis prohibition allows organized crime to profit massively from smuggling.