Italian decriminalization referendum reaches 500,000 signatures in one week

The Italian association Cannabis referendum announced that it had collected 500,000 signatures in just one week for its his proposal for a referendum to decriminalize cannabis cultivation and consumption.

The group will continue to collect more signatures to ensure it qualifies for a national referendum.

«In less than a week, we've collected over half a million signatures for the #ReferendumCannabis, a staggering result that was made possible by the efforts of thousands of campaigners. But to send a clear message to the politicians who are already undermining the importance of this result, we want to undermine parliament with a green tide! So to be sure of reaching the target and voting next spring, it's essential to reach 600,000 signatures.»

This success was made possible in part by a new law passed in July, which legitimized the use of digital signature gathering. Previously, signatures had to be collected in person.

«An extraordinary result, but not surprising: an intervention on the subject of cannabis had been needed for some time, and with the digital signature, in a matter of days, the issue exploded.», have declared defenders at the’Agenzia Giornialistica Italia.

«This referendum is the first Italian signature collection organized entirely online on the referendumcannabis.it website. The speed of mobilization confirms the desire for change on cannabis but also for participation in decisions on issues that affect personally. However, we now need to collect a further 15 % signatures to be sure we can hand the referendum over to the Supreme Court on September 30.»

If the referendum becomes law, it would decriminalize cannabis cultivation and «remove the penalty of imprisonment for any illegal conduct related to cannabis, with the exception of association for the purpose of illicit trafficking in accordance with art,» reads the Cannabis referendum.

It would remove the three-year ban on driving a moped if an individual has been found in possession of or using drugs, as it would «eliminate the sanction of suspension of the driving license and certificate of fitness to drive mopeds currently provided for all behavior aimed at the personal use of any narcotic or psychotropic substance...».»

The referendum still has to be approved by Italy's Supreme Court and Constitutional Court before it can be put to the vote next year.