Luxembourg abandons plans to legalize cannabis

A second minister in the Luxembourg government has distanced herself with regard to the promise made to legalize cannabis, a further indication that Luxembourg might abandon this proposal, which would mark a major policy shift for the country.

The proposed cannabis legalization bill in Luxembourg It attracted international attention when it was announced three years ago by the three-party coalition of the Democratic Party (DP), the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP), and the Greens (Déi Gréng), making Luxembourg the first country in Europe to legalize cannabis.

The question has been delayed time and again and the difficulties in complying with European legislation make full legalization unlikely, Health Minister Paulette Lenert said Tuesday on the public radio station Radio 100.7.

The government is considering alternatives, Paulette Lenert said, but she declined to specify what form any new proposal might take. Josée Lorsché, leader of the Greens’ parliamentary group, also said Tuesday that there would be amendments to the bill, according to the Luxemburger Wort.

Ministers are planning new regulations that would allow people to grow small amounts of cannabis for personal use, Radio 100.7 reported, while the initial 2018 proposal to legalize the sale of cannabis is reportedly being scrapped.

Paulette Lenert's refusal to confirm the 2018 coalition's commitment comes after Justice Minister Sam Tanson, refused to confirm that the measure would go ahead. «I can’t confirm anything,» Tanson said in an interview on September 17.

The Ministry of Justice is set to publish a package of measures in October addressing security and drug policy issues, which would include regulations on cannabis use.

However, she did not provide any further details when asked during her interview earlier this month. Paulette Lenert also sidestepped questions about a possible announcement date when asked on Tuesday. Last year, the government had presented a roadmap toward legalization before the next elections in 2023, but had already mentioned the the possibility of a pilot project on legalization last May.