Poland's Ministry of Health calls for decriminalization of cannabis

The legalization of cannabis is the subject of a a debate that has been going on in Poland for many years and several bills are currently under consideration. The Ministry of Health has, in fact, recently come out in favor of decriminalizing cannabis.

Jakub Gajewski and the Association for Free Hemp

For many years, the association Wolne Konopie (Free Hemp) is one of the best-known movements advocating for the legalization of cannabis in Poland. Its collaboration with left-wing politicians has led to the drafting of a bill aimed at decriminalizing the possession of 25 grams of cannabis and the cultivation of up to four cannabis plants.

In June 2024, an important meeting was held with a representative from the Ministry of Health, who stated that the Ministry of Health was prepared to support the bill aimed at decriminalize possession of 25 grams of cannabis and the cultivation of 4 cannabis plants.

«It's a step in the right direction, but there's still a long way to go,» said Mr. Gajewski.

However, these successes were not without their challenges. An internal meeting was held in July, during which activists discussed the way forward. On the one hand, they had secured the support of Deputy Minister of Agriculture Michal Kołodziejczak, which significantly strengthened their position. On the other hand, they realized that many challenges still lay ahead.

«At this time, it does not make sense to submit the bill, because Andrzej Duda will veto it. However, we see a chance for decriminalization in the second half of the term, provided that Poles elect a president who is not associated with Law and Justice. In this regard, we need to meet with Rafal Trzaskowski, a potential presidential candidate, to discuss the sentences eligible for a pardon. »In August, the Ministry of Health agreed to decriminalize the possession of 25 grams of cannabis and the cultivation of three cannabis plants, which is good news for us and demonstrates a political will for change,” he explained.

Przemyslaw Zawadzki: Minimum Option and Larger Projects

However, efforts toward legalization are not led solely by Wolne Konopie. Przemysław Zawadzki has also been fighting for a change in the law for many years. His bill, submitted on April 20, 2024, to decriminalize the cultivation of one plant and the possession of 15 grams of cannabis, has been widely discussed.

«Many of you have said that the bill I submitted […] proposed too low an amount,» Mr. Zawadzki admits. «And even though I think it would be a huge success for the current legislature to pass such a bill, this is the minimum—not the only option.».

However, Mr. Zawadzki notes that the problem does not stem solely from President Andrzej Duda, who has announced that he would veto such a law. «Is Mr. Duda the problem?» asks Mr. Zawadzki. «For me, however, the biggest problem remains the conservative parliament. Unfortunately, we may have to wait more than nine months.»

Politics and Society: Changing Attitudes

From a political standpoint, the legalization of cannabis in Poland appears to be a more complicated issue than one might think. The current president, Andrzej Duda, is firmly opposed to such changes, which means that even if the bill is passed by parliament, a presidential veto could block the entire initiative for years to come.

On the other hand, the 2025 presidential election could inject new momentum into this debate. Many people, including representatives from Wolne Konopie, are pinning their hopes on potential presidential candidate Rafal Trzaskowski, who seems more open to liberalizing cannabis laws.

However, the legalization of cannabis is not just a matter of policy, but also of public sentiment. As numerous polls show, Poles are increasingly open to the idea of legalizing marijuana.

The latest CBOS poll, conducted in 2024, shows that 74.3 % of Poles support the legalization of cannabis for adults. Many see it not only as a therapeutic measure, while the Poland's medical cannabis market is booming, but also a way to increase individual freedom and reduce repression against consumers.

What next?

The future of cannabis legalization in Poland is uncertain, but activists and advocates for legal reform are not ready to give up. Wolne Konopie and other organizations are planning additional activities to put pressure on politicians and build a broad community coalition.

«We hope to meet with NGOs in September to form an even broader advocacy coalition,», Mr. Gajewski announced. Other meetings with politicians, consultations with industry representatives, and educational activities for the public are also planned.

The outcome of the 2025 presidential election could also determine the future of cannabis legalization in Poland. If a candidate who supports liberalization wins, the path to legalization could open up. If not, work on the legislation could be stalled for years.