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1st October 2024
Cannabis – recreational
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Global business and regulatory news covering the cannabis industry
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Daily regulatory updates of legal changes in the cannabis sector, including monthly compilations
15th November 2024
- Ireland: One of the current ruling parties, the Fianna Fail party, has expressed its support for the decriminalisation of drugs for personal use in the party’s political manifesto for the general elections to be held on 29th November 2024. According to polls, Fianna Fail is the second most supported party – preceded by its current partner in government, Fine Gael. This makes it likely for both parties to form a coalition after the elections. However, Fine Gael’s position is not as positive towards decriminalisation. Simon Harris, Fine Gael's president and Ireland’s prime minister, has said, in response to the Fianna Fail manifesto proposal, that he disagreed with a move to decriminalise casual drug-taking.
14th November 2024
- Australia: A parliamentary committee looking into the impact of the regulatory framework for cannabis from the state of New South Wales (NSW) has requested in its interim report that the NSW ruling Labor party initiate the path towards decriminalisation of adult personal use. The committee recommended that decriminalisation be done gradually, stage by stage, starting with a “relaxation, but not elimination, of the criminalisation of cannabis”. It also proposes not sanctioning drivers who test positive for cannabis consumption if they have a medical prescription.
14th November 2024
- Australia: Senator David Shoebridge, from the Australian Greens Party, has announced that the federal parliament is going to hold the vote on the party’s bill to legalise cannabis on 27th November. The Legalising Cannabis Bill, which was introduced by Shoebridge in August 2023, proposes to legalise recreational cannabis and allow personal cultivation of up to six plants. It also aims to create a new agency, the Cannabis Australia National Agency, that would regulate all activities concerning the cultivation, manufacture and sale of cannabis. It is uncertain whether other parties would give support to the bill. However, the ruling Labor party is not generally positive towards cannabis legalisation. While in the state of Queensland Labor decided to form a coalition government with the Legalise Cannabis Party, members of the party have said they do not support legalisation for personal use.
14th November 2024
- US - Texas: A number of bills have been introduced relating to recreational cannabis. House Bill (HB) 1208 would legalise recreational cannabis and establish a regulated market for its production and sale in the state. If passed, the bill would allow licensed businesses, or “cannabis establishments”, to grow, process, test and sell cannabis products within Texas, while adults (21+) would be permitted to possess and use cannabis legally, with the limit set at 2.5 oz of dried flower and 15 g of concentrates. HB 848 would expand the state’s criminal code around cannabis possession and delivery to include “marihuana concentrate”.
14th November 2024
- Czech Republic: As announced by minister of justice Pavel Blažek, the government has approved a significant criminal law reform, media reports. Key changes include a partial relaxation of cannabis cultivation and possession laws. The proposed changes include allowing the cultivation of up to three cannabis plants, with the boundary between a misdemeanour and a criminal offence set at five plants. It would also be legal to store up to 25 g of dry cannabis at home and 50 g outside the home. The proposal also includes changes in penalties for drug offences. The opposition Pirates party, which was part of the government coalition until recently, has criticised the proposal, arguing it lacks provisions for harvesting, given that three plants can yield up to 300 g. The Pirates intend to propose in the House of Representatives increasing the legal possession limit to 900 g.
13th November 2024
- Poland: Members from the Polish Parliamentary Committee on Petitions have requested, through a motion, that the prime minister decriminalise cannabis, press reports. The motion proposes allowing possession of up to 15 g of cannabis and cultivation of up to one plant for personal use. The prime minister, Donald Tusk, now has 30 days to provide a written response and explain whether he will take action and introduce a bill or reject the motion. The Committee members hope that this motion will bring back debate around the decriminalisation of cannabis for recreational purposes. Aside from this proposal, the Parliamentary Team for the Decriminalisation of Cannabis has been formed in the Sejm (lower chamber of parliament) by several members of Parliament (MPs) from the current coalition government.
12th November 2024
- Germany: Last week, the Bundestag’s Committee on Agricultural Policy and Consumer Protection, Committee on Internal Affairs, Legal Affairs Committee, and Finance Committee published their recommendations on the Industrial Hemp Liberalisation Act. Although the bill does not address recreational cannabis, the committees recommended neutral packaging for all cannabis products (such as seeds) and reduction on the quantity given to members of cultivation associations, among other measures. Regarding industrial hemp, they recommended the retention of the “intoxication clause” and consideration of the alleged potential for abuse in the trade in industrial hemp. The plenary of the Bundesrat will vote on the proposal on 22nd November, although the bill does not require Bundesrat approval.
7th November 2024
- Germany: Yesterday (6th November), following the dismissal of the finance minister, Christian Lindner of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), by chancellor Olaf Scholz, the chancellor said he would call a confidence motion in his government for January 2025, which could mean that elections – scheduled for October 2025 – are brought forward to March 2025, press reports. Considering the polls indicate a likely change of government, this could mean that the current government may not have enough time to introduce and approve regional model projects with cannabis commercial supply chains, the so-called Pillar 2, as promised in the government's coalition agreement.
6th November 2024
- US - South Dakota: South Dakota voters rejected measure 29, which would have legalised recreational cannabis in the state, with 57% casting ballots in opposition. The 2024 election marks South Dakota’s third attempt to legalise adult-use cannabis. With measure 29’s failure, the state will remain a medical cannabis-only state.
6th November 2024
- US - North Dakota: Measure 5, which would have legalised recreational cannabis, failed to gain majority support for the third time in six years. Voters rejected the initiative, with 52.5% casting ballots in opposition to adult-use legalisation. Two years ago, a similar measure was rejected, and another attempt in 2018 also failed. Sponsored by New Economic Frontier (NEF), the measure intended to allow adults aged 21 and older to possess up to 1 oz of cannabis and establish a regulated adult-use marketplace for licensed businesses to provide tested products to consumers.
6th November 2024
- US - Florida: Amendment 3, which would have legalised recreational cannabis in the state, failed to get the required 60% voter support. The initiative received around 55.9% support, while 44.2% of voters opposed it, as reported by the Florida Division of Elections. Amendment 3 aimed to allow anyone 21 years or older to purchase and possess personal amounts of cannabis from licensed dispensaries. “Tonight, a strong majority of Floridians voted in support of legalizing recreational marijuana for adults,” stated the Smart & Safe Florida campaign. The statement added that although Amendment 3 didn't meet the 60% threshold, they look forward to collaborating with state leaders on decriminalising recreational cannabis for adults, addressing public consumption, child safety, and home grown access.
5th November 2024
- US - Federal: Today, voters in Florida, North Dakota and South Dakota will vote on ballot initiatives to legalise recreational cannabis in their states while those in Nebraska will vote on medical cannabis measures. The election represents the third time that voters in both North Dakota and South Dakota will decide on this issue. Meanwhile, in Nebraska, voters will vote on a pair of measures that would legalise medical cannabis and establish regulations for the industry.
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