Sardinia: a referendum to legalize cannabis

Sardinia tries to play the Colorado card or the others American states that have legalized cannabis through a referendum. The Italian region has just started collecting signatures to organize a popular initiative referendum on the legalization of cannabis.

The aim of the organizers is to collect 10,000 signatures in 4 months, and then get citizens to vote for or against the legalization of cannabis for both medical and recreational purposes.

The referendum question was proposed by the «Pro Sardinia» committee, which includes the following parties Articolo Uno, Radicali Italiani and the Luca Coscioni association. In the event of a Yes victory in the referendum (which could take place next autumn or in spring 2019), the Sardinia region would demand that the Italian government further open up the cultivation of cannabis for therapeutic purposes, held mainly by the army until now, and legalize self-production by citizens for recreational use.

«These are three fundamental issues for the revival of the economy and for a change in the administration of the Region, at a time when the island is facing a difficult period», said the president of the «Pro Sardinia» committee Paolo Zedda pointing out that: «There is scientific evidence that cannabis is much less dangerous than tobacco and alcohol, and data indicates that where it is legalized, consumption has not increased. In Sardinia, sales could reach 250 million euros, with 10,000 jobs created.»

But unlike the USA, Italy's regions cannot legislate contrary to national legislation on this issue. The result of the referendum would therefore not be binding on the Italian State, and would only serve to push the debate on the legalization of cannabis in Italy.