Researchers from Science.lu have taken a look at countries where recreational cannabis is already legal.
A week ago, the Minister for Health confirmed on Radio 100,7 that cannabis would not be fully legalised, as originally planned by the government in 2018. Merely growing for personal use would be allowed, with sales remaining illegal. This news came as a surprise to many. But what actually happens when you do legalise it? Researchers from Science.lu looked into countries that have done so, and the experiences they have made.
Only Uruguay, Canada and 10 US states have fully legalised possession, sale and production of cannabis. In the US, consumption increased in the states affected as well as those around them. But it is not legalisation that drives the increase in use, says Jean-Paul Bertemes, editor-in-chief of Science.lu, as the numbers vary from country to country, regardless of legalisation.
In Europe, there are only three countries (Belgium, Portugal and the Netherlands) where cannabis use is no longer sanctioned. In the Netherlands, the sale in coffee shops is also tolerated, but they are supplied by the black market, as production is not legal. The consumption in the Netherlands is slightly above the European average, while in Belgium it is slightly below, and in Portugal markedly lower.
Legalisation does create a market with official shops, new jobs and price stability. Studies from the US have also shown that the black market shrank to 30-40%, that 40% of cannabis users noticed an increase in quality, and that there was a rise in cannabis tourism. Amsterdam illustrates this in Europe.
As far as health outcomes, there are no certain scientific findings. But just knowing that you know nothing is already worth knowing.
In the case of Luxembourg, it would be interesting to study the current situation, allowing for more detailed comparisons after legalisation - whichever form this will eventually take.
