Cannabis in Albania
Cannabis is legal for medical and industrial purposes in Albania.
Trafficking
Drug trafficking first became a major concern in Albania in the 1990s; in that same period cannabis cultivation which had initially been concentrated in the south became more widespread. Albanian cannabis production is sufficient to meet local demand and also export to other areas, though the country continues to import some hashish through Turkey.[1]
In the mid-2000s, 77% of the cannabis in Italy originated in Albania.[2] A 2009 report, however, noticed a reduction in the significance of Albanian cannabis exports, and that seizures of Albanian herbal cannabis had "become very rare in the last five years."[3]
More recently, although still undoubtedly a net exporter, Albanians have begun importing herbal cannabis as well, with an apparent preference for the hashish varieties of the Maghreb. Total production, meanwhile, in Albania, was estimated by Italian financial police to be around 900 tonnes, worth about 4.5 billion euros.[4]
Enforcement
In 2012, Albania seized 21.2 metric tons of cannabis, nearly twice the amount seized in 2011.[5]
Albania made global headlines and "placed itself on the cannabis map" in 2013 when the
History
It was right after the fall of
Due to its aspirations to join the European Union, Albania is under pressure to present a decisive national anti-drug strategy, and in recent years has escalated police crackdown against the cannabis trade, with mixed results, and coordinating efforts with other national governments such as the Italian government.[4]
On 7 April 2022 after a vote of the national counselling with 61% of people being in favor of legalization, prime minister Edi Rama announced he will pave the way for the legalization of medical cannabis.[6]
On 21 July 2023 the
References
- ISBN 978-1-4020-2765-9.
- ]
- ISBN 978-92-1-148240-9.
- ^ a b c d "Cannabis in Albania". 29 October 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
- ^ Besar Likmeta. "Report Says Albania Cannabis Growth Mounting". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 2016-11-28.
- ^ "Albania to Legalize Cannabis after Citizens' Support". ALBANIA DAILY NEWS. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
- ^ "Albanian Parliament legalizes medical cannabis despite harsh opposition". Associated Press. Retrieved 21 July 2023.