Marijuana laws around the world are constantly changing, particularly in the United States and Europe. In the US, more states are allowing voters to decide on the legality of marijuana within their own communities following the recent elections. In Europe, regulations are evolving more slowly but many countries are adopting increasingly relaxed marijuana policies.
In 2022, recreational marijuana appeared on the ballots of several states in the United States. In November, Maryland and Missouri became the 20th and 21st states, respectively, to legalize marijuana for adult recreational use, but marijuana reform failed in Arkansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Maryland voters have approved an amendment legalizing recreational marijuana. The law will take effect on July 1, 2023 and allows individuals over the age of 21 to possess up to 1.5 ounces or two plants. Small amounts of marijuana have already been legalized in the state of Maryland. According to reports, the amendment will also allow those previously convicted of marijuana possession to apply for record expungement.
Missouri voters have lifted the state's ban on marijuana and are now allowing individuals over the age of 21 to use it. The new law permits individuals to possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana. People who have been convicted of non-violent crimes related to marijuana are now eligible for release, parole, or probation and will have their records expunged.
North Dakotan voters have initiated a ballot measure that would allow individuals over the age of 21 to use marijuana in various forms. The measure would permit testing of up to one ounce of marijuana in approved facilities and random inspections.
South Dakota voters initially rejected the legalization of marijuana in the state. However, in 2020, South Dakota passed a measure legalizing recreational marijuana, but it was declared invalid by the state court. According to a proposed 2022 ballot measure, possessing up to one ounce of marijuana will be legal. It will also legalize possession of marijuana paraphernalia and the use and distribution of marijuana.
In addition, voters in Arkansas rejected an amendment that would have allowed adults to possess and consume marijuana for recreational purposes, as well as purchase it through licensed facilities. If passed, possessing up to one ounce of marijuana would have been legal and some of the tax revenue from marijuana sales would have gone towards funding law enforcement.
Many experts in Europe predict that the majority of countries will legalize cannabis in some form within the next 20 to 25 years. Both Europe and the United States currently have laws surrounding cannabis. Italy has even required their military to cultivate cannabis for their national medicinal plan, while Switzerland is launching its first legal recreational cannabis project in Basel. Additionally, the Netherlands has issued their first licenses for legal cannabis cultivation.
In Germany, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has submitted a foundational document outlining plans to create legislation which will regulate the controlled distribution and consumption of recreational marijuana by adults. The purchase and possession of 20-30 grams of recreational marijuana for personal consumption will also be legalized. The coalition government reached an agreement last year to introduce legislation during their four-year term to allow for the controlled distribution of marijuana through licensed shops.
According to Politico, the Czech government is considering drafting a plan to establish a regulated recreational marijuana market. The final proposal is expected to come into effect in March and, if enacted, will take effect in 2024. Medical marijuana has been legal in the country since 2017, as reported by Prague International Broadcasting.
Since 2021, France has been conducting trials on medicinal marijuana. Malta has recently passed a law allowing an individual to carry 7 grams of marijuana.
Finland has recently taken small steps towards legalization. In 2019, a public initiative collected over 59,000 signatures in support of the decriminalization of personal cannabis use, removing a barrier that required parliament to consider the initiative by the end of the current term in 2023.
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