While several European countries have approved the Cannabis legalization or at least its decriminalization, in Italy we have recently witnessed a significant step backwards: during the night between July 31st and August 1st, an amendment to the Security Bill which also equates light cannabis to hemp with THC, already illegal in our country.
Cannabis Legalization Italy 2024
The legalization of hemp in Italy seems increasingly distant. Since 2016, the question “What type of cannabis is legal in Italy?” it was possible to answer that the full CBD one was consumable, now this might not be the case anymore. Cristiano Fini, president of Cia-Agricoltori Italiani, declared that the prohibition of light cannabis is a very serious blow to a growing market driven mainly by young farmers. With the bill of the last few days, thousands of jobs are at risk throughout the supply chain, especially in a period of full production in the fields.
Just a few months ago, headlines like ultimavoce.it they were titling in Legalization Italy latest news that in 2024 hemp could have become legal or at least decriminalized, instead today we have confirmation that the government has a decidedly hostile attitude prohibitionist and the long-awaited legalization will have to wait a long time yet. This is in contrast with European trends and with Italian citizens themselves, 58% of whom declare themselves pro cannabis legalization. In 2022, a proposal for an anti-prohibitionist referendum was also put forward, which unfortunately fell on deaf ears as it was declared inadmissible by the Constitutional Court.
Cannabis legalization Europe
The legalization of drugs In Europe and the USA it follows a non-linear path in which each country proceeds, fundamentally, in a scattered order.
Let's see what the situation is in Europe and the USA in 2024 regarding cannabis with THC:
- Malta and Luxembourg: since 2021 in these countries cannabis is completely legal and any adult can possess and grow it. Medical cannabis is also allowed.
- Spain: in this country, hemp is not legalized but is decriminalized. Cultivation and consumption are allowed within “cannabis social clubs”, closed-number cultural associations, while sale and transportation are prohibited. Medical cannabis is allowed in Catalonia and the Basque Country.
- Portugal: here medical cannabis has been legal since 2018 while recreational cannabis is only decriminalized.
- Germany: in this country the consumption of small quantities of cannabis for recreational purposes is decriminalized while medical cannabis has been legal since 2017.
- Netherlands: Cannabis can be sold and consumed in controlled contexts, the so-called Coffee Shops. A project approved in 2019 and which will hopefully be implemented in the coming months will allow a controlled production of cannabis on Dutch soil (until now “production” was prohibited).
- USA: Recreational use of cannabis is legal in several US states, which are Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. Medical cannabis is legal in 37 states. At the federal level, cannabis remains prohibited.
What type of cannabis is legal in Italy? If we give credence to the latest bill, no type of hemp product will be legal in our country, but we await further developments and desirable steps backwards (i.e. forwards). Only the cannabis for medical use, introduced on an experimental basis in 2006 and produced within national borders since 2016, could constitute an exception.
How many Mary plants can you keep 2024
How many marijuana plants can you grow indoors or in your garden? Until a few days ago the answer was: none, unless you were talking about plants or cannabis seeds light. Now the answer is likely to be: none at all.
Despite the ban, a history was made 2019 Cassation decree who states that "Minimum-scale cultivation activities carried out in small-scale areas do not constitute a crime domestic form and with rudimentary techniques”, so the judge evaluates case by case but it is likely that a tiny home cultivation without the use of lamps will not end up in a criminal offence.
The light cannabis sector in Italy and the damage of the new bill
The choice to ban light hemp could create serious damage to the economy. The data on the supply chain speak of over 800 companies that deal with the processing, cultivation and trade of light cannabis. The turnover in recent years had grown from around 44 million to half a billion. If the decree were to become law, above all, around 800 companies would be at risk 11 thousand jobs causing serious damage to many families.
Conclusions
The latest news on the legalization of cannabis in Italy does not paint a rosy picture, indeed, the prevailing direction of the government, in contrast with the country, seems to be that of prohibition. The amendment to the security bill approved on August 1 also puts at risk the light cannabis sector, currently fully legal in our country. We will continue to carefully observe the evolution of the laws that regulate the production and consumption of hemp with both THC and CBD only and will keep you informed.
