Germany to legalise cannabis with a two-step approach.
Germany’s government has announced a two-step plan to legalise cannabis. In the first step, people over 21 can possess up to 25 grams of cannabis for personal use. They will also be permitted to grow up to three hemp plants per person.
In the second step, the government will regulate the sale of cannabis through licensed shops in certain model regions.
Some government members have praised the plan but have also been criticised by others. Some critics have argued that cannabis can lead to psychosis in young people, while others have said that the government should wait for the European Union to approve a standard drug policy.
The government has said it is confident its plan is legal and compatible with EU regulations. It has also said that legalisation will help dry up the black market for cannabis and protect young people.
The plan is still subject to approval by the Bundestag and Bundesrat, parliament’s lower and upper houses, respectively. It will also require the EU’s stamp of approval.
If the plan is approved, Germany will become the latest country in Europe to legalise cannabis. The Netherlands and Portugal have already legalised the use of cannabis, while Spain has decriminalised it. Outside of Europe, Canada, Uruguay, and 17 US states have also legalised cannabis.
Czech Republic Moves to Ban CBD Products
The Czech Republic plans to ban CBD and other hemp-derived cannabinoid products from the market, even though the country has legalised recreational cannabis. The Ministry of Agriculture says the ban is necessary because there is not enough scientific research on the safety of CBD products. However, the Czech Hemp Association has criticised the decision, saying it is illogical and unnecessary.
The EU considers food products containing CBD to be “novelfoods” because they were not consumed significantly in EU countries before May 15, 1997. Novel foods must be verified for safety by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) before being sold in the EU. However, the EFSA still needs to complete its evaluation of CBD products so that no new CBD products can be approved for sale.
The Czech State Agricultural and Food Inspectorate has the authority to restrict or prohibit the sale of products in the market. If a marketing ban is imposed, CBD-containing products cannot be sold again. However, the Ministry has yet to announce when the ban will take effect.
The Czech Hemp Association is working with the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) to prepare evidence supporting their claim that CBD and other cannabinoids should not be classified as novel food. The association argues that cannabinoids have been a part of the human diet for centuries and that there is no evidence that they pose a risk to human health.
The ban on CBD products in the Czech Republic is a controversial decision. Some people believe it is necessary to protect public health, while others believe it is an unnecessary restriction on the sale of safe and legal products. The ban will likely impact the Czech hemp industry significantly, and how it will be implemented and enforced remains to be seen.
The decriminalisation of cannabis in Portugal is still proving effective.
Portugal has a unique stance on cannabis and CBD products. In 2001, the country decriminalised all drugs, including cannabis, for personal use. This means that adults can possess up to 25 grams of cannabis without facing criminal charges. However, selling or growing cannabis is still classed as illegal.
Purchasing CBD products is legal in Portugal from reputable online sellers such as CBD Portugal, but there are some restrictions. CBD products that contain more than 0.2% THC are considered illegal.
THC is the psychoactive compound in cannabis that produces a “high.” CBD products containing less than 0.2% THC are considered legal but cannot be marketed as medicine. This means it is safer to purchase CBD products from a certified seller that monitors the THC levels in its products.
The Portuguese government’s stance on cannabis and CBD products is based on the belief that decriminalisation is more effective than prohibition in reducing drug use and crime. The government also believes CBD products can have therapeutic benefits and should be available to consumers.
However, the Portuguese government is still studying CBD products’ potential risks and benefits. As a result, there is some uncertainty about the future of CBD products in Portugal.
Overall, Portugal has a relatively liberal stance on cannabis and CBD products. However, the government is still taking a cautious approach, and the rules could change in the future.
