Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government will pave the way for the legalization of medical cannabis in Albania. Last February, the Albanian Prime Minister asked for the country’s opinion on the subject via a national consultation initiative. 61% of Albanian citizens voted in favor of legalization.
According to the poll results, 308,000 citizens voted for, 148,000 against, while 51,000 had no opinion on the matter.
In a statement to Albanian media, the head of government said that what citizens have asked for will be achieved.
“We are going to legalize cannabis and open a new front of work and economic growth, in addition to increasing the technological aspect. What the citizens have said will be carried out. »
“The voice of the citizens is resounding and we will do exactly what the citizens want, some things faster, others slower. It is a process, but very soon, in a few days, you will see the members of the cabinet who will come out with concrete commitments, to give back to the people the confidence that they gave back to this process, “said the Prime Minister.
Already in 2020, Edi Rama had announced that he was preparing a bill to legalize the cultivation of medical cannabis and the opening of a public debate. The Covid passing by, the initiative took longer than expected. The country was one of the biggest producers of cannabis for the European black market until international pressure forced it to act, for example in the Lazarat areas.
Beyond the economic interest, the country is also trying to catch up with its neighbors who were less reluctant to develop a therapeutic cannabis sector.