R03: Green and science-based approach to cannabis law in Europe

Cannabis is the most widely used drug worldwide. According to UNODC estimates more than 4% of the adult population (aged 18 - 64) have used Cannabis in 2020.
In 2021, 22.2 million adult citizens of the European Union consumed cannabis.
According to the report by Hanway 55% of Europeans support legalising recreational cannabis, while almost 30% of respondents are interested in trying it. Yet, in the 21st century we still find ourselves in Europe which putsthere is a lot of stigma around users of all kinds of narcotics, including cannabis. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been highlighting time and again that users should not be punished.

Cannabis is the most widely used drug worldwide. According to UNODC estimates more than 4% of the adult population (aged 18 - 64) have used Cannabis in 2020.
In 2021, 22.2 million adult citizens of the European Union consumed cannabis.
According to thea report by Hanway"Hanway Associates" 55% of Europeans support legalising recreational cannabis, while almost 30% of respondents are interested in trying it. Yet, in the 21st century we still find ourselves in Europe which puts a lot of stigma around users of all kinds of narcotics, including cannabis. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been highlighting time and again that users should not be punished.

Cannabis is the most widely used drug worldwide. According to UNODC estimates more than 4% of the adult population (aged 18 - 64) have used Cannabis in 2020.
In 2021, 22.2 million adult citizens of the European Union consumed cannabis.
According to the report by Hanway 55% of Europeans support legalising recreational cannabis, while almost 30% of respondents are interested in trying it. Yet, in the 21st century we still find ourselves in Europe which puts a lot of stigma around users of all kinds of narcotics, including cannabis. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been highlighting time and again that users should not be punishedpenalized.

Cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug worldwide. According to UNODC estimates more than 4% of the adult population (aged 18 - 64) have used Cannabis in 2020.
In 2021, 22.2 million adult citizens of the European Union consumed cannabis.
According to the report by Hanway 55% of Europeans support legalising recreational cannabis, while almost 30% of respondents are interested in trying it. Yet, in the 21st century we still find ourselves in Europe which puts a lot of stigma around users of all kinds of narcotics, including cannabis. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been highlighting time and again that users should not be punished.

Cannabis is the most widely used drug worldwide. According to UNODC estimates more than 4% of the adult population (aged 18 - 64) have used Cannabis in 2020.
In 2021, 22.2 million adult citizens of the European Union consumed cannabis.
According to the report by Hanway 55% of Europeans support legalising recreational cannabiscannabis for adult-use, while almost 30% of respondents are interested in trying it. Yet, in the 21st century we still find ourselves in Europe which puts a lot of stigma around users of all kinds of narcotics, including cannabis. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been highlighting time and again that users should not be punished.

As Greens, we rely on science and demand policies that put morehighlighting the importance on fighting drug addiction than fighting personal and recreational use of drugs.

As Greens, we rely on science and demand policies that put more importance on fighting drug addiction than fighting personal and recreational use of drugs.

Luxembourg has announced its intention of legalising recreative cannabis use in the 2018 governmental program. As a first step, a draft legislation has been tabled in 2022 to allow homegrowing for personal use. A strategy for the implementation of a national recreativeadult-use cannabis sector, covering every step from production to sales, is in development and expected to be presented in spring 2023.Germany is also in the process of legalising cannabis, going as far as the current restrictive EU legislation allows. The proposed draft intends, in a first step, to decriminalise possession and homegrowing for personal use and enables the establishments of Cannabis social clubs, through which members can attain cannabis legally. In a second step, the commercial production, distribution and sale is tested in model projects.

Thanks to the continuous work of scientists, we already know that cannabis not only should be decriminalised but also destigmatised. Citizens deserve reliable and accessible information on the positive effects of cannabis, as well as on the sidenegative effects that might be experienced.

Thanks to the continuous work of scientists, we already know that cannabis not only should be decriminalised but also destigmatised and regulated. Citizens deserve reliable and accessible information on the positive effects of cannabis, as well as on the side effects that might be experienced.

Hemp, which can be used for the production of textiles, clothes, insulation, and can even be a substitute for plastic, which makes it an invaluable resource in striving for more ecological production. But due to the stigma and extremely strict regulations the use of hemp in production has been stifled, as the products differ only in the psychoactive component. This means that when growing hemp a simple omission, or mistake can lead to a lengthy trial, or in worst cases a prison sentence.

Hemp, which can be used for the production of textiles, clothes, insulation, and can even be a substitute for plastic, makes it an invaluable resource in striving for more ecological production. But due to the stigma and extremely strict regulations the use of hemp in production has been stifledDespite the fact that a recent Commission regulation allows for the legal production of hemp products and that between 2015 and 2019 hemp production in the EU went from 94,120 to 152,820 tonnes, farmers are reluctant for fear of making mistakes,, as the products differ only in the psychoactive component. This means that when growing hemp a simple omission, or mistake can lead to a lengthy trial, or in worst cases a prison sentence.

The positive effect of using cannabis for medical purposes is indisputable. It has been scientifically proven that medical marijuana relieves all kinds of pain, from post-traumatic to oncological pain. Marijuana plays an important role in the treatment of neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's diseases. Studies suggest that medicinal marijuana helps reducing the symptoms of cancer and its treatment side effects. These studies have also shown very positive results in replacing opioidopioids for the treatment of pain treatments with medical marijuana or at least have equal role to play as opioids.

The positive effect of using cannabis for medicalfor some medicinal purposes is indisputablebeing confirmed by scientific evidence. It has been scientifically proven that medical marijuana relieves all kinds of pain, from post-traumatic to oncological pain. Marijuana plays an important role in the treatment of neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's diseases. Studies suggest that medicinal marijuana helps reducing the symptoms of cancer and its treatment. These studies have also shown very positive results in replacing opioid pain treatments with medical marijuana.

The positive effect of using cannabis for medical purposes is indisputable. It has been scientifically proven that medical marijuana relieves alldifferent kinds of pain, from post-traumatic to oncological pain. Marijuana playscan play an important role in the treatment of symptoms of neurological diseases such as spasms in multiple sclerosis, seizures in child epilepsy, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's diseases. Studies suggest that medicinal marijuana helps reducing the symptoms of cancer symptoms and side effects of its treatment. These studies have also shown very positive results in replacing opioid pain treatments with medical marijuana.

The positive effect of using cannabis for medical purposes is indisputable. It has been scientifically proven that medical marijuanacannabis relieves all kinds of pain, from post-traumatic to oncological pain. MarijuanaCannabis plays an important role in the treatment of neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's diseases. Studies suggest that medicinal marijuanacannabis helps reducing the symptoms of cancer and its treatment. These studies have also shown very positive results in replacing opioid pain treatments with medical marijuanacannabis.

The positive effect of using cannabis for medical purposes is indisputable. It has been scientifically proven that medical marijuana relievescan relieve all kinds of pain, from post-traumatic to oncological pain. Marijuana plays an important role in the treatment of neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's diseases. Studies suggest that medicinal marijuana helps reducing the symptoms of cancer and its treatment. These studies have also shown very positive results in replacing opioid pain treatments with medical marijuana.

Even though the majority of European countries have legalised medical marijuana, access remains limited and inconsistent. For instance, on the Croatian medical market, there is just one cannabis medical product registered to contain cannabidiol. IfAlthough it is legal, medical cannabis remains inaccessible. And even prescribed this medicine is often not refunded and can only be obtained in the pharmacy as a full-pay medicine, which is the case in Poland, for example.

Even though the majority of European countries have legalised medical marijuana, access remains limited and inconsistent. For instance, on the Croatian medical market, there is just one cannabis medical product registered to contain cannabidiol. If legal, medical cannabis remains inaccessible. And even prescribed this medicine is often not refunded and can only be obtained in the pharmacy as a full-pay medicine, which is the case in Poland, for example.

Even though the majority of European countries have legalised medical marijuana, access remains limited and inconsistent. For instance, on the Croatian medical market, there is just one cannabis medical product registered to contain cannabidiol. If legal, medical cannabis remains inaccessible. And even prescribed this medicine is often not refunded and can only be obtained in the pharmacy as a full-pay medicine, which is still the case in Poland, for examplemany EU countries.

Even though the majority of European countries have legalised medical marijuanacannabis, access remains limited and inconsistent. For instance, on the Croatian medical market, there is just one cannabis medical product registered to contain cannabidiol. If legal, medical cannabis remains inaccessible. And even prescribed this medicine is often not refunded and can only be obtained in the pharmacy as a full-pay medicine, which is the case in Poland, for example.

It has been proven that introducing bans does not lead to improving the issue of addiction. Legislative prohibition is supporting only the so-called “black market”. Drug trafficking must continue to be sanctioned and drug dealers must be brought to justice. While crimecriminal organisations are gaining lucrative earnings, there are no complex and structural prevention measures. Where illegal, there is no control over the market, no control over the quality, noneither over the content of the drug neithernor on the age of the buyer. Additionally, young people who cannot access
cannabis legally will often be exposed to a criminal environment. There is no control over its production, which means that any substances can be added or mixed with the cannabis to create addiction or additives,that substances are added to increase the volume of the drug, and the health risks relatedwhich may lead to that are unknownserious health risks.

It has been proven that introducing bans does not lead to improving the issue of addiction. Legislative prohibition is supportingProhibition has only the so-called “black market”created an illegal market. Drug trafficking must continue to be sanctioned and drug dealers must be brought to justice. While crime organisations are gaining lucrative earnings, there are no complex and structural prevention measures. Where illegal, there is no control over the market, no control over the quality, no content of the drug neither the age of the buyer. Additionally, young people who cannot access
cannabis legally will often be exposed to a criminal environment. There is no control over its production, which means that any substances can be added or mixed with the cannabis to create addiction or additives, to increase the volume of the drug, and the health risks related to that are unknown.

According to Europol estimation Europeans spend approximately 9 billion euro each year to purchase marihuanacannabis. This, obviously, creates an enormous black market. The regulation and implementation of regulatory control of the entire cannabis supply chain is a pillar of a successful legalisation. It would also be an important step to drain down the existing black market.

According to Europol estimation Europeans spend approximately 9 billion euro each year to purchase marihuana. This, obviously, creates an enormous blackillegal market. The regulation and implementation of regulatory control of the entire cannabis supply chain is a pillar of a successful legalisation. It would also be an important step to drain down the existing blackillegal market.

The use of cannabis was also speculated to serve as a “gateway”, claiming that it increases the likelihood
of users engaging in subsequent use of harder and more harmful substances. This hypothesis, however, has been disproven by recent studiesHowever, despite a lot of research, there is not yet conclusive evidence to say that cannabis is a gateway drug.

The use of cannabis was also speculated to serve as a “gateway”, claiming that it increases the likelihood
of users engaging in subsequent use of harder and more harmful substances. This hypothesis, however, has not been disprovensupported by recent studies.

The use of cannabis was also speculated to serve as a “gateway”, claiming that it increases the likelihood
of users engaging in subsequent use of harder and more harmful substances. This hypothesis, however, has been disproven by recent studies.

DECOLONISING DRUG POLICY

Such untrue narratives have thus fed into the 'War on Drugs' by Western governments, a war built on racism. As stated by the UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent, '[T]he war on drugs has operated more effectively as a system of racial control than as a mechanism for combating the use and trafficking of narcotics.'

T
he global war on drugs has justified drug control policy that disproportionately targets racialised communities, particularly Black, Brown, and Indigenous peoples, sustaining their systemic subordination and criminalisation under racialised hierarchies. Within states, drug law enforcement and criminal justice systems disproportionately search, arrest, prosecute, incarcerate, provide harsher sentences, and deny access to treatment for racialised communities, especially those of African descent, despite similar rates of drug use, sale and trafficking to majority populations.

Such ineffective policies have done little to reduce trafficking and use of drugs, but have devastated racialised persons, their families, and their communities. Drug policy reform must be decolonial and intersectional, prioritising humanity, dignity, wellbeing, and human rights, with comprehensive reform made as well to law enforcement, the criminal justice system, and the training of police.

DECRIMINALISATION, DESTIGMATISATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES

As stated above, cannabis must not only be decriminalised, but also destigmatised. This goes beyond addressing false narratives such as it being a gateway drug. The way in which cannabis is communicated often compares it and conflates it in severity to hard drugs such as heroin. Yet, various studies have found cannabis to be less addictive than other drugs - including alcohol, significantly less lethal (with no known instance of drug overdose death solely attributed to cannabis), with significantly less severe overdose and withdrawal symptoms than other drugs - including alcohol. It is still important to acknowledge that cannabis is prone to addiction, and cannabis use disorder can have long-term ramifications to social, physical, and mental well-being. However, this conflation of the danger of cannabis to other drugs must be addressed to sufficiently destigmatise it. Furthermore, prohibition, as outlined above, does little to tackle drug trafficking and use, but continues to feed the war on drugs and the stigmatisation of cannabis.

Thus, the decriminalisation of cannabis use and reform of drug control policy and its enforcement is thus the first step towards a pathway of effective drug policy that would destigmatise cannabis, tackle racialised policing, prioritise individual and social wellbeing, and reduce current tax expenditure. The regulation of the cannabis market would further create new jobs and provide a new source of tax revenue.

This would enable the redirection of funding and resources from ineffective and punitive drug control policy and the persecution of cannabis drug use towards criminal justice reform and effective and accessible health and social programmes and support services. The additional tax revenue could fund anti-bias police training and people-oriented community policing, accessible public mental health and social support services to address underlying issues that predisposes one to cannabis, alcohol, and other drug use; and abuse prevention, detoxification, treatment, and rehabilitation programmes for drug addiction and withdrawal.

Ultimately, controlled and legalised production, trade, and licensed retailers would improve public health while protecting racialised communities and children. Greens are committed to politically and structurally supporting humane and dignified drug policy that focuses on ensuring the dignified protection and treatment of all peoples, on supporting individuals in accessing cannabis for medical use across Europe and fully reimbursing such use, on regulating the market in a way that it is supporting citizens in legally accessing CBD and hemp products, and on decriminalising personal use across Europe whilst aiming for its eventual legalisation.

Freeing up police assets from pursuing drug use crimes in support of investigating drug sales crimes will give a boost to investigating sales crimes and thus will help combat drug sales and organised crime more effectively.would allow additional resources to solve more serious crimes in conjunction with decreasing the harmful effects that prohibition has on individuals.
Police resources should be used for more alarming and urgent matters, rather than chasing everyday users and enforcing a ban that is not going to stop the use of cannabis.
If we put an end to the persecution of drug use, taxpayers’ money could be used to finance addiction prevention measures and open up centers specialising in spreading the knowledge on substance abuse.
The cannabis market, if legal, can create new jobs and will be a new source of tax revenues.
Ultimately, controlled and legalised production, trade, and licensed retailers would improve public health while protecting children.

Freeing up police assets from pursuing drug use crimes in support of investigating drug sales crimes will give a boost to investigating sales crimes and thus will help combat drug sales and organised crime more effectively.
Police resources should be used for more alarming and urgent matters, rather than chasing everyday users and enforcing a ban that is not going to stop the use of cannabis.
If we put an end to the persecution of drug use, taxpayers’ money could be used to finance addiction prevention measures and open up centers specialising in spreading the knowledge on substance abuse.
The cannabis market, if legal, can create new jobs and will be a new source of tax revenues.
Ultimately, controlled and legalised production, trade, and licensed retailers would improve public health while protecting children.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Prohibition is not a solution for tackling addiction successfully. Therefore, we should push forinsist on rehabilitation and treatment as the best ways to support people that experience substance abuse. Services aiming at addiction treatment must be public and accessible. It cannot and should not mean long waiting time or a privilege for the rich. In place of expensive persecution we need structurally designed drug abuse prevention programmes, addiction consultation, and withdrawal programmes that are accessible to everyone.

Prohibition is not a solution for tackling addiction successfully. Therefore, we should push for rehabilitation and treatment as the best ways to support people that experience substance abuse. Services aiming at addiction treatment must be public and accessible. It cannot and should not mean long waiting time or a privilege for the rich. In place of expensive persecution we need structurally designed drug abuse prevention programmes, addiction consultation, and withdrawal programmes that are accessible to everyone.

Harm reduction and assistance to patients must be the primary objective of a rational drug policy. Only legalisation and decriminalisation will make it possible to implement a comprehensive policy for the prevention of addictive behaviour and risk reduction (removal of a taboo, information campaign, supervised areas, quality control, research). Harm reduction policies must be extended to the general public and reinforced among young people and in prisons. Social care for marginal users must be promoted in each EU Member State.

Prohibition is not a solution for tackling addiction successfully. Therefore, we should push for rehabilitation and treatment as the best ways to support people that experience substance abuse. Services aiming at addiction treatment must be public and accessible. It cannot and should not mean long waiting time or a privilege for the rich. In place of expensive persecution we need structurally designed drug abuse prevention programmes, addiction consultation, and withdrawal programmes that are accessible to everyone.

Greens are committed to politically and structurally supporting high standard drug policies that focus on regulating the market in a way that it is supporting citizens in legally accessing cannabis, as well as providing them with fully reimbursable medical products and decriminalising personal use in all European countries.

The EGP calls on theall European national governments and the EU Commission to: