Pass the Duchy: Luxembourg’s grand plan to legalize cannabis – POLITICO - Jillian Deutsch:
July 30, 2019 - "Luxembourg has ambitions to legalize recreational cannabis and convince other European countries to do the same.... Its health ministry is slated to unveil a proposal to start the legislative process this fall, and the goal is for it to become law within two years.
"If that happens, Luxembourg will join a small but growing list of countries — Canada, Uruguay and 11 U.S. states — reversing decades[-]long drug policies that saw the substance banned and people jailed for violations.
"One of the main advocates is Health Minister Etienne Schneider, who cites health reasons as the most important driver. He said young people are already getting weed on the black market, coming into contact with drug dealers who provide cannabis of unknown quality, and getting access to more potentially dangerous drugs....
"Under the legislation to be proposed by Schneider and Justice Minister Félix Braz, Luxembourg would legalize the entire cannabis market, from issuing licenses for its production to legalizing its consumption, under a highly regulated structure. It would ban home cultivation and likely impose an age restriction — possibly 18 — for purchase. Schneider also envisions prohibition on purchases by non-residents, as a way to avoid drug tourism....
"For now, support for the bill looks strong. The three parties that form the governing coalition in Luxembourg all included legalizing recreational cannabis in their governing agenda, largely driven by young members.
"But Luxembourg is grappling with the fact that it's a small country to which an estimated 200,000 people travel for work each day. Schneider admits it will be difficult striking a balance between keeping borders open and regulating this new market, especially if Luxembourg's neighbors fear undesired spillover. But he said he wants to get other countries on board and is talking to fellow health ministers....
"Alexandra Curley, head of insights at the cannabis consultancy group Prohibition Partners, said Luxembourg is right to try learning from other countries that have made cannabis accessible.... 'Luxembourg is a very small country, but it's also quite a powerful one,' she added. 'Everybody's just waiting for that first person to take the plunge and see how it works out.'"
Read more: https://www.politico.eu/article/luxembourg-legalize-cannabis/
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July 30, 2019 - "Luxembourg has ambitions to legalize recreational cannabis and convince other European countries to do the same.... Its health ministry is slated to unveil a proposal to start the legislative process this fall, and the goal is for it to become law within two years.
"If that happens, Luxembourg will join a small but growing list of countries — Canada, Uruguay and 11 U.S. states — reversing decades[-]long drug policies that saw the substance banned and people jailed for violations.
"One of the main advocates is Health Minister Etienne Schneider, who cites health reasons as the most important driver. He said young people are already getting weed on the black market, coming into contact with drug dealers who provide cannabis of unknown quality, and getting access to more potentially dangerous drugs....
"Under the legislation to be proposed by Schneider and Justice Minister Félix Braz, Luxembourg would legalize the entire cannabis market, from issuing licenses for its production to legalizing its consumption, under a highly regulated structure. It would ban home cultivation and likely impose an age restriction — possibly 18 — for purchase. Schneider also envisions prohibition on purchases by non-residents, as a way to avoid drug tourism....
"For now, support for the bill looks strong. The three parties that form the governing coalition in Luxembourg all included legalizing recreational cannabis in their governing agenda, largely driven by young members.
"But Luxembourg is grappling with the fact that it's a small country to which an estimated 200,000 people travel for work each day. Schneider admits it will be difficult striking a balance between keeping borders open and regulating this new market, especially if Luxembourg's neighbors fear undesired spillover. But he said he wants to get other countries on board and is talking to fellow health ministers....
"Alexandra Curley, head of insights at the cannabis consultancy group Prohibition Partners, said Luxembourg is right to try learning from other countries that have made cannabis accessible.... 'Luxembourg is a very small country, but it's also quite a powerful one,' she added. 'Everybody's just waiting for that first person to take the plunge and see how it works out.'"
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