Luxembourg: Legalization of cannabis back before Parliament

Back again, back again. The bill to legalize cannabis in the Grand Duchy is back before the Chamber of Deputies this Thursday, on the initiative of the Christian Social People's Party (CSV, in Luxembourgish). The 21 deputies of this centrist opposition party have placed the text on the agenda.

«We want a calm debate on the subject before a bill emerges, and what we want most of all are answers to the questions we're asking».», argues Claude Wiseler, MP and Chairman of the CSV, in the columns of the liberal daily Paperjam. The elected was already asking to the government in January 2020.

So it will be interesting to follow the debate today in the Krautmaart, the Parliament of this country of 600,000 inhabitants bordering on Moselle. The liberal government, led by Prime Minister Xavier Bettel in coalition with the Socialists and Greens, should therefore clarify the contours of its legalization project. Especially as the subject is a tense one. Luxembourg is located in the heart of the continent. And it would become the first European Union state to legalize cannabis on its territory.

Legalization for locals, not tourists

This major reform was a campaign promise, during the 2018 legislative elections. The Grand Duchy will legalize recreational cannabis in autumn 2021, the Prime Minister promised. «The main objectives will be to decriminalize, or even legalize under conditions to be defined, the production on national territory as well as the purchase, possession and consumption of recreational cannabis for the personal needs of residents of legal age.», even specifies the coalition agreement. 

In the meantime, the covid-19 epidemic has come and gone, prompting the government to delay legalization. Today, the worst seems to be over. The proof: vaccination is open to all Luxembourgers over the age of 16. The Grand Duchy's politicians are now looking to the future.

Especially as Xavier Bettel's term of office runs out at the end of 2023. Given that the legalization of cannabis has already been delayed, since it was due to come into force in the autumn of 2021, the government has just two years left to pass the text.

France should keep a close eye on the project's progress. According to the first outline of the law, the purchase of cannabis will be «reserved exclusively for Luxembourg residents».», the former Deputy Prime Minister told the French daily Le Républicain Lorrain. «We don't want Luxembourg to be the new Amsterdam».», he continued. A desire shared by France, Germany and Belgium.