Cannabis in Luxembourg
Possession, consumption, transportation, and purchase of cannabis in public spaces remains prohibited. Prosecution depends on the amount of cannabis one possesses. Since 2001, prison penalty has been substituted by a monetary fine ranging from 25 to 500 euros.[4]
Decriminalization
In April 2001, Luxembourg updated its prior 1973 law, and reclassified cannabis as a Category B controlled substance, meriting only a fine for a first offense, effectively decriminalizing personal possession.[5][6]
Medical cannabis
In November 2017, the Minister of Health announced a two-year pilot program under which Luxembourgers would be able to obtain cannabis extracts and cannabinoids for medical purposes.[7][8]
In June 2018, lawmakers unanimously approved a bill to legalise the medical use of cannabis.[9][10]
Legalisation
In November 2018, the government announced that it would legalise the recreational use of cannabis, and an exact timetable had yet to be defined.[11] In October 2021, the government announced plans to legalise growing up to four cannabis plants per household for personal use,[12] however, the legalisation project had been delayed by the covid pandemic as early as mid-2020.[13] In April 2023, the government announced plans to issue two production licences to grow cannabis domestically and control the entire supply chain over 14 dispensaries across the country, however, given the complexity, the draft law would not be finalised before the October elections.[14] In June 2023, the Chamber of Deputies approved a bill that legalises growing up to four cannabis plants per domestic community and consuming cannabis at home for adults, while keeping small fines for public smoking and possession, transportation and purchase of up to three grams (1⁄10 oz).[15] The law took effect on 21 July 2023. There are plans to create a regulated market to produce and sell cannabis that would be state controlled.[16]
Politics
In July 2022 at a conference on the topic of cannabis laws within the European Union, uniting Germany, Malta, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg, Paulette Lenert and the Minister of Justice, Sam Tanson both expressed the need to change to a regulatory approach on cannabis, based on dialogue with member states that have reached the same conclusion, that is, the failure of repressive politics throughout half a century in preventing the sale of illicit substances and in the fight against addiction.[18]
References
- ^ "Growing cannabis at home – Cannabis Information". Retrieved 21 July 2023.
- ^ "Home cultivation of four plants permitted as of 21 July". RTL Today. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
- ^ Lambert, Yannick (18 July 2023). "Growing and smoking weed at home legal from Friday". Luxembourg Times. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
- ^ "Art. 7 and Art. 8 refer to the usage of narcotics" (PDF), Excerpt of the "Mémorial A" of the Luxembourgish legislation, archived from the original on 31 December 2004, retrieved 23 November 2016
- (PDF) from the original on 12 May 2019.
- ISBN 978-1-107-01497-8.
- ^ Damiani, Claude (2 January 2018). "Cannabis médical : l'exemple de l'Allemagne" [Medical cannabis: the example of Germany]. Le Quotidien (in French). Archived from the original on 19 January 2018.
- ^ Huberty, Martine (8 November 2017). "Cannabis for Medicinal Purposes Pilot Project". Delano. Maison Moderne. Archived from the original on 31 March 2018.
- Luxembourg Times. Archivedfrom the original on 29 June 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
- ^ Tharoor, Avinash (29 June 2018). "Luxembourg Is Latest EU Country to Legalise Medical Cannabis". Talking Drugs. Release. Archived from the original on 30 May 2019. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
- Luxembourg Times. Archived from the originalon 30 November 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2018.
- ^ "Luxembourg to legalise growing and using cannabis at home". euronews. 22 October 2021. Retrieved 22 October 2021.
- ^ "Legalisation of cannabis delayed due to coronavirus pandemic". RTL Today. 13 October 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
- ^ "Legal pot plan foresees 14 dispensaries in Luxembourg". Delano - Luxembourg's financial community. 28 April 2023. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
- ^ "Luxembourg legalises cultivation and consumption of cannabis at home". today.rtl.lu. 28 June 2023.
- ^ Sabaghi, Dario (29 June 2023). "Luxembourg Legalizes Cannabis For Personal Use". Forbes. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
- ^ "Government parties in favour, CSV remains sceptical". RTL today. 21 May 2021. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
- ^ "Paulette Lenert et Sam Tanson organisent une consultation de haut niveau sur la réglementation du cannabis à usage non médical et non scientifique". Ministry of Justice, The Luxembourg Government (in French). 15 July 2022. Retrieved 23 May 2023.