Nearly two years after the failure of a referendum on the legalization of cannabis and the reform of psychedelics, Italian activists are rallying behind a new, more targeted initiative.
The proposed legislation, titled “The Decriminalization of the Cultivation of Cannabis for Personal Use and Associated Forms,” aims to authorize the home cultivation of up to four cannabis plants, create Cannabis Social Clubs and eliminate penalties for consumers. As the campaign gains momentum, supporters are optimistic that it can bring the issue back to the forefront of Italy's legislative agenda.
The momentum is given
In 2022, a referendum on the legalization of cannabis was rejected by the Constitutional Court. Far from being discouraged, activists like Marco Perduca, a former Italian senator, have banded together to take more targeted action. Mr. Perduca underlined the determination of the movement by declaring: “Parliament will be forced to listen to us, but only when we have collected 50,000 signatures.”
This new initiative, launched earlier this month, has already garnered significant support, with more than 20,000 certified signatures collected in the first week.
Antonella Soldo, coordinator of theLegal Legal Associationone of Italy's main pro-cannabis pressure groups, was enthusiastic about the speed of the response.
She noted the broad support the initiative received, saying: “Our proposal has garnered substantial support from a wide range of individuals and communities who express the urgent need for change.” Ms. Soldo is confident that the initiative, based on scientific evidence and inspired by models like Germany, will resonate with the public.
Main provisions of the bill
The eight-page legalization bill focuses on decriminalizing the cultivation of cannabis for personal use. Among the main provisions are the authorization to cultivate up to four cannabis plants for personal use and the creation of Cannabis Social Clubs. These clubs would be authorized to cultivate cannabis and distribute it exclusively to their members. In addition, the bill aims to authorize the possession of a maximum of 30 grams of cannabis, while removing administrative sanctions such as withdrawal of driving license and passport.
The campaign insists that driving under the influence will remain punishable, which will reinforce the responsible use of cannabis. The bill draws on models from other European countries, particularly Germany, where similar legislation has come under scrutiny by EU institutions.
Antonella Soldo clarified that “this may seem like an unattainable dream, but soon it will all become reality in Germany. This is why we have decided to launch a popular initiative bill to legalize the domestic cultivation of cannabis now! »
The proposal's authors believe that aligning with other European countries adds credibility to their cause and provides a roadmap for effective cannabis reform.
The campaign must now collect the required 50,000 signatures within six months to force Parliament to address the issue. More than 20,000 signatures having been collected during the first week, the bar is not very high!
