Luxembourg delays legalization of cannabis

It was to be the first European country to legalize cannabis. It even had the date ticked off the calendar: it was to be autumn 2021. But Luxembourg is late. And no one knows when the plant will be fully authorized in the Grand Duchy.

For the Ministry of Health spokeswoman, «No specific deadline has been set for [legalization] to take effect. Rather, the priority is for the government to give itself the time it needs to complete this undertaking, properly and serenely.» The Minister, Paulette Lenert, was even more vague, stating that Luxembourg «continues to strive for adequate, contemporary regulation focused on the widespread use of cannabis».

In this small country of 600,000 inhabitants bordering France, cannabis use has already come a long way. 415 Luxembourg patients will be treated with medical cannabis in 2019. The consumption of bud has been decriminalized since 2001. But in the 2018 elections, Liberal Prime Minister Xavier Bettel promised to go even further.

Covid-19 has been there

In his program, he to authorize the cultivation, sale and consumption of cannabis for recreational use. In February 2020, Luxembourg radio station 100.7 unveiled the legalization project. 14 cannabis sales outlets will be opened in the near future. Residents of the Grand Duchy over the age of 18 will be able to buy up to 30 grams per person per month. Smoking will be prohibited in public places.

But then. A certain covid-19 came along. And the Ministry of Health recognizes that its priority is to manage the health crisis. The country has suffered 560 deaths since the start of the pandemic. A lower figure than in France, when compared to its population. Even so, cannabis will have to wait.

Meanwhile, the Luxembourg government is evolving its taxation of CBD. Since early 2020, it has been taxing cannabidol like cigarettes. For each gram purchased, 33 % goes to the state, in addition to 17 % in VAT. For the promised legalization of cannabis, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel has until the end of his second term of office. This will be at the end of 2023.