Europe Cannabis News
Portuguese Parliament Debating Cannabis Legalization
Just last Thursday, members of the Portuguese parliament were debating two measures that would legalize cannabis.
Two separate bills are being discussed; one from the Left Block and another from the People-Animals-Nature (PAN) party. The measures have some slight differences but in essence, should they be passed, it would allow adults over the age of 18 to buy, own, grow, and consume cannabis.
The Left Bloc bill prohibits selling alcohol and edibles at licensed cannabis shops; the sales of synthetic cannabis would be banned, and any ads of cannabis would be limited. Adults will be allowed to cultivate up to 5 cannabis plants for personal consumption, while half of tax revenues from legal cannabis sales will be allocated for drug rehabilitation. The rest of the tax revenues would go to subsidizing the National Health Service.
On the other hand, the PAN bill prohibits users from consuming cannabis at work, as well as in youth-oriented places including playgrounds and schools, plus medical facilities. Adults will be permitted to grow cannabis for personal consumption. PAN’s bill also obliges the government to establish that the price of cannabis is “lower than the average prices charged on the illegal market.” Any tax revenues would go to funding drug treatment and prevention.
It remains to be seen if either bill would garner enough support to pass; for one, the Socialist Party has already said that they will be abstaining from voting. Meanwhile, Portugal’s People’s Party, the Social Democrats Party, and the Community Party apparently reject cannabis legalization.
According to the Socialist Party’s Jamila Madeira, complete legalization of cannabis would be a “natural evolution” in drug reform although warned that the government has to “evaluate some of the critical points in the control of consumption” in the youth.
Portugal has long been cited as a model for drug reform since they decriminalized possession and consumption of all drugs back in 2001. A reduction in overdose rates and decline in the spread of HIV has been attributed to this. Portuguese lawmakers have also passed a medical cannabis bill in 2018.
Hemp-Derived CBD New Beauty Trend In Europe
At the end of the month, a new industry event called the Future Cannabis Strategies Europe will be exploring the new trend that shows promising potential in the beauty industry. The trade event, which takes place in London, will feature several program segments that are dedicated solely to cosmetics, beauty, and personal care.
“Celebrated for its moisturizing properties, hemp oil has been used and popularized by The Body Shop for many years,” explain the organizers. “Hemp oil is the most common form of cannabis found in skincare products. However, hemp oil does not stand alone.”
Estee Lauder just launched a face mask infused with CBD. Called Hello, Calm, the product utilizes hemp seed oil. Harvey Nichols and Holland and Barrett are two other brands that are launching skin CBD or cannabis infused skincare products.
European Union Making History With Cannabis Legalization
Legislators throughout the continent are preparing to allocate cash for the research of cannabis, while laying the foundation for unified drug reform throughout Europe. Late last year, the European Parliament’s health committee lawmakers supported a draft resolution for cannabis to be used for medicinal purposes, but now it seems the proposals are going full steam ahead.
Analysts state that the European cannabis industry will be worth a cool $131.5 billion by 2028, which makes it the world’s biggest legal cannabis market. However, domestic regulations restrict the European Union from legalizing cannabis although it has the power to set guidelines which each country can implement. Last month, the official EU drug body, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) gave the first report of its kind on cannabis. The report, intended for policymakers, responded to increased interest on the subject as more countries around the region are working on developing cannabis programs.
“Many EU countries now allow or are considering allowing, the medical use of cannabis or cannabinoids in some form,” it reads. The report states that each country varies greatly in their approach to the drug, both in the kind of product allowed as well as their regulatory framework.
The report discusses various countries around the world, using case studies to demonstrate the diverse methods being used outside of the European Union for allowing medical cannabis consumption. “In most countries, the provision of cannabis and cannabinoid products and preparations for medical purposes has evolved over time, often in response to patient demand or product development,” explains Alexis Goosdeel, EMCDDA director.
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