WM Tech Blog

By WM Policy Team 

Cannabis legalization is gaining global acceptance. Today, in addition to the 38 U.S. states, cannabis is legal for medical or adult-use in more than 40 countries around the world…and that number seems to grow every day. 

Here is a snapshot of five cannabis legalization “hot spots” compiled by the WM Policy team:  

1. Germany: Most (outside of the medical program) cannabis sold in Germany  is through the  illicit market, where there is no quality control. The German government wants to change that. Germany announced its intention to fully legalize adult-use sales by the end of the legislative period, but no draft bill has been introduced. Though the pandemic and the war in Ukraine have taken priority, a draft bill could be released in the "second half of the year," according to the German Minister of Health. Germany is a parliamentary democracy, so there is much to be done before a bill can become law.
    
2. Italy: Several attempts to legalize cannabis in Italy over the past few years have been unsuccessful.  Most recently, advocates hoped to use a nationwide ballot initiative to decriminalize personal cannabis cultivation and do away with penalties for cannabis possession. However, upon completing the signature-gathering process, Italy’s highest court ruled that the national referendum process could not be used for full legalization.
    
3. Switzerland: Swiss authorities announced their plans to legalize cannabis cultivation, trade, and consumption last fall. Public health authorities believe cannabis should no longer be banned but carefully regulated instead. The National Council must now  develop a framework for an integrated medical and adult-use cannabis program. Meanwhile, in Zurich, Switzerland's largest city, a three-year pilot project begins this fall to  legalize adult-use cannabis sales and study its effects on Swiss society. 
    
4. Mexico: In 2019, Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled that laws prohibiting adult-use cannabis possession and cultivation were unconstitutional and violated “free development of the personality.” This ruling gave leaders in Mexico's Congress a directive to create legislation to regulate the lawful use, possession, and cultivation of cannabis for adult-use purposes. At this time last year, Mexico was close to passing a cannabis legalization bill with both the lower chamber and a visible majority in Congress. But it failed.A month later, the high court issued a further ruling making it easier for individuals to get permits to possess, cultivate, and use cannabis on an individual basis. The cannabis legalization bill does not seem to be a priority, and for now, the efforts to legalize and regulate cannabis for adult use is stalled. 
    
5. Thailand: Thailand is the first country in Asia to decriminalize adult-use cannabis after the public health ministry successfully removed cannabis from the narcotics list. The 9th of June will mark a big day for Thailand, as decriminalization will take effect, and people will be allowed to cultivate any amount of cannabis for personal use. Thai officials announced earlier this month that over one million medical cannabis plants would be distributed to Thai households to celebrate this new cultivation law. Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received more than 4,700 applications for licenses to import, possess, grow, and manufacture cannabis and hemp. Thai officials anticipate a gradual ease in restrictions as the new cannabis industry flourishes. 

Follow WM Policy on social media and check out the Higher Authority blog to stay on top of cannabis policy developments across the country and around the world.