The legalization of cannabis has been a long-standing and contentious issue in Italy. Currently, the possession and use of cannabis is illegal and can result in criminal charges. However, there have been previous attempts at legalizing cannabis through a referendum that were ultimately blocked by the top court.
But now, there is renewed hope for those advocating for cannabis legalization in Italy. A new bill has been proposed that would significantly change the country’s stance on cannabis, as reported by Marijuana Moment. This bill is currently gathering signatures to be presented to Parliament, and it has already gained considerable support in a short amount of time.
The proposed bill, translated as “The decriminalization of the cultivation for personal and associated use,” aims to legalize growing cannabis for personal use in Italy. If passed, it would allow individuals to grow up to four plants for personal use and establish social clubs that can distribute marijuana exclusively to its members. This bill also gets rid of penalties for possession of up to 30 grams of cannabis.
This proposed bill is different from previous attempt in Italy from 2021, which also included the decriminalization of psychedelic substances. However, this new legislation is focused solely on cannabis legalization, making it more likely to succeed in Parliament.
Former Italian senator and cannabis advocate Marco Perduca has expressed his support for this new bill. Saying “Despite the defeat we suffered after the collection of signatures with the legal cannabis referendum, we have decided to insist until things change,” Marco Perduca, an advocate and former Italian senator, told supporters in a recent email, according to a translation. Perduca was one of many organizers who supported the blocked 2021 referendum, per Marijuana Moment.
The process for this new bill to become law is through a signature-gathering effort. The goal is to collect 50,000 signatures within six months, which would then be presented to Parliament for consideration.
The support for this legalization measure has been significant, with over 10,000 certified signatures collected in the first 24 hours and over 20,000 in less than a week. This shows that there is a strong desire among Italians to see changes in their country’s cannabis laws.
In a press release, about the new initiative “We are already at 10,000 signatures. We want to bring this issue back to parliament” – said Antonella Soldo, coordinator of the Meglio Legale Association – “Such an immediate response is not a coincidence, do you know why this issue is so popular? Because it concerns people’s lives. Because every Italian family knows what drug sniffing dogs in schools mean, the fear of stigma, of criminalization. The fight against cannabis is nothing more than a useless waste of resources which does not serve to stop the mafias but to attack people.”
“The Proposed Law wants to allow the home cultivation of up to 4 cannabis plants, exclusively for personal use. At the same time, it provides for the creation of Growers’ Associations (Cannabis Social Club) with the aim of cultivating cannabis and distributing it only to members. Furthermore, the proposal provides for the decriminalization of personal use. This means that transport of up to 30 grams will be allowed and the administrative sanctions currently foreseen, such as the withdrawal of driving license and passport, will be abolished. Naturally, impaired driving remains punishable.”
Antonella Soldo, coordinator of the Associazione Meglio Legale (Better Legal Association), said in a email to Marijuana Moment ““Our proposal has gained substantial support from a diverse range of individuals and communities, emphasizing the urgent need for change,” she said. “Within a week, we gathered 20,000 signatures, nearly halfway nearly halfway to the required threshold for presenting our proposal to Parliament.”
““The enthusiastic response underscores the issue’s importance,” Soldo continued. “We are confident that the merits of our initiative, grounded in scientific evidence and inspired by successful models in other European countries like Germany, will resonate with the public.”
In fact, Soldo told Marijuana Moment that the bill was inspired by the German legislation, which she added “has successfully navigated scrutiny by European institutions.”
Germany looks to legalize personal possession amounts of cannabis and growing cannabis for personal use early next year in 2024.
Overall, the proposed bill to legalize cannabis in Italy has the potential to greatly impact the country’s current cannabis laws. With provisions for home cultivation, social clubs, and the elimination of penalties for consumers, this legislation aims to bring about positive change for both individuals and communities.
The ongoing signature-gathering process has shown strong support from Italians, who are eager to see changes in their country’s cannabis policies. This is a testament to the growing movement towards cannabis legalization and normalization in Europe.
As Germany plans to legalize personal possession and cultivation of cannabis, it sets an example for other European countries, including Italy, to follow suit. With the success of this new bill, it could pave the way for further advancements in cannabis legalization across the continent.
The effort to gather signatures and submit the cannabis legalization measure to Parliament is a crucial step towards destigmatizing and normalizing cannabis worldwide. It highlights the growing recognition of the potential benefits of cannabis, both medically and economically, and encourages further progress in this area.
Italians who support this cause should get involved by signing this petition and spreading awareness about this initiative. By coming together and advocating for change, we can make a difference in the future of cannabis legalization in Italy and beyond.
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