Europe is not (necessarily) against cannabis self-cultivation

Germany and the Czech Republic are not the only European countries considering cannabis legalization. Even if on a smaller scale, Luxembourg is also working on regulating personal cannabis use. since an announcement made in 2018.

However, the country seeks to comply with both European law and international law, which, according to conservative interpretations, restricts the cultivation and/or consumption of cannabis for non-medical use.

Europe and cannabis legalization

Contacted by the Luxembourg media The Daily, the European Commission tells them that European law «prohibits the [non-medical] cultivation of the cannabis plant, but does not cover personal drug consumption.».

«It is therefore up to the Member States to decide how to address the personal consumption of drugs, including cannabis,» the Commission's services stated.

The Luxembourg Council of State came to the same conclusion: «The draft law (...), in that it limits itself to authorizing the cultivation of a certain number of plants for personal consumption only, under strict conditions (...), unlike extensive legalization, is (...) not contrary to European Union law.».

The Luxembourg government thus intends to take advantage of this legal possibility.

What are the risks of legalization?

In his project, Germany is also seeking Europe's non-disapproval Regarding his wish to legalize cannabis. While the intention seems honorable, the risks of disagreement are nonexistent, whether at the European or international level.

Malta has thus become the first European country to end prohibition of cannabis, with no possible sanction, just as Uruguay and Canada have legalized cannabis without legal consequences. The INCB, the International Narcotics Control Board, simply reiterates its pro-prohibition stance at regular intervals and criticizes countries or states that have adopted regulations cannabis laws.

For a complete legalization of cannabis, and not just for personal use, Luxembourg is already planning to implement an experimental legalization for scientific purposes, a system authorized by international conventions and already implemented in Switzerland with pilot legalization trials in some cities.