The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg has become the first European country to legalize the domestic production and consumption of marijuana.
The move is different from a full legalization of the drug. Under the Luxembourg law, citizens are now able to cultivate up to four cannabis plants. Growing is only limited to domestic production, within homes and gardens. The legislation only applies to citizens over the age of 18.
Speaking after the law came into effect, Justice Minister Sam Tamson sighted the importance of the changes in tackling the wide illegal narcotics market. Tamson said the country wants to first allow people to grow it at home, because the consumer is not in an illegal situation.
What they don’t want to support is an illegal chain, from production to transportation to selling where there “is a lot of misery attached.”
“We want to do everything we can to get more and more away from the illegal black market,” he said.
The Green Party spokesman went further, declaring in a statement released Friday that the move was a recognition that the war on cannabis has failed.
While the move does mark a significant shift in the legal attitude towards drug restrictions, it does not signify a wholesale change in status of cannabis within Luxembourgish law and commercial production. Public consumption will remain prohibited, albeit softened with quantities under 3g considered a misdemeanour rather than criminal offense.
The Duchy joins a growing list of countries that have softened their legal position towards the drug over previous years. Following Uruguay’s 2013 move to decriminalise the drug a number of nations have followed suit along with 18 American states and two US territories.
Such changes have resulted in buoyant times for the global legal cannabis market which is expected to reach a market cap of 91.5 billion by 2028 and with major financial institutions launching products to allow investors to capitalise to the burgeoning growth of the sector like to accelerate in coming years.
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