The second “International Forum for Sustainable Cannabis Regulation” (IFSCR) was held yesterday, November 21, at Lübbenau Castle, Brandenburg, Germany. Delegations from countries such as Canada, Colombia, Malta, Mexico, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the Czech Republic and the United States participated and were able to present the latest developments in their respective national policies on of cannabis.
The focus was on the conditions for global cannabis policy and new initiatives for the protection of human rights, alternatives to drug cultivation and health protection.
Today, @BdB_SD_Blienert and @BMZ_Bund host the ‘2nd International Forum for Sustainable Cannabis Regulation’ in Brandenburg. The forum focuses on innovative and sustainable approaches in international cannabis policy. Details in this press release: https://t.co/Yf8gBwAKak pic.twitter.com/52WgOxLm2T
Burkhard Blienert, German government representative for drug addiction and drug issues, was the forum’s patron.
Also in charge of the project to legalize cannabis in Germany, he spoke of the country’s progress: “The old answers in terms of cannabis policy are no longer enough. As in many other countries, more and more people in Germany have been using cannabis despite bans, and the illicit product has caused serious health problems for an increasing number of people. Instead of ineffective bans, Germany is banking on consistent regulation, prevention, youth and health protection in the future. »
He also highlighted the importance of international exchange: “Like us, many other countries are taking new paths when it comes to cannabis policy. It’s important that we learn from each other and openly discuss what’s working and where we’re struggling. Furthermore, at the international level, we should strive for fair, sustainable and health-oriented conditions and work closely together. Ultimately, everything is connected: What happens in our drug policy affects the situation in countries where cannabis is grown and transported, and vice versa. »
Cannabis regulation at the heart of the European Union
Before the main forum, led by the Addiction and Drug Representative, representatives from several EU countries that have already taken steps to regulate cannabis met.
Immediately afterwards, the eighth Brandenburg Forum on Drug and Development Policy will take place, with the participation of more than 20 governments. The IFSCR and the Brandenburg Forum are organized jointly with the support of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
The Norwegian and Dutch governments, as well as leading non-governmental organizations, also support the Brandenburg Forum, an internationally renowned event.
Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez recently unveiled her plan to legalize adult-use cannabis, marking an important step in the state’s efforts to grow its cannabis industry.
While the State of Hawaii has permitted medical cannabis since 2000, the proposed plan aims to establish a regulated framework for recreational cannabis, addressing shortcomings in previous legislative attempts.
The evolution of cannabis policy in Hawaii
Hawaii’s journey to legalizing adult-use cannabis has not been without its challenges. Earlier this year, a bill to legalize recreational cannabis passed the Senate, but failed in the House of Representatives. Attorney General Lopez’s recent 294-page proposal is being hailed as a breakthrough, with lawmakers praising its rigor and strategic approach.
One notable feature of Ms. Lopez’s plan is the proposed tax structure. The plan suggests a 4.25% excise tax on adult-use cannabis, accompanied by a 10% surtax. These taxes would help fund law enforcement and educational programs aimed at preserving the well-being of young people. Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, chairman of the Consumer Protection Committee, praised the plan, saying it is “the best version yet” and addresses issues raised in previous reform attempts of cannabis policy.
Inspired by the Massachusetts model, the governor’s proposal incorporates a social equity program that aims to correct the injustices perpetuated by years of cannabis prohibition. It includes grants and support programs to help illegal growers transition to the regulated market, emphasizing the importance of bringing those previously engaged in illegal activities into the legal fold. Ms. Lopez emphasizes that “the most important thing we can do is get people who were growing and selling marijuana illegally into the legal market.”
The plan calls for the creation of the Hawaii Cannabis Authority, charged with regulating the cannabis industry, enforcing the law, implementing laboratory testing programs to ensure product safety, and launching initiatives in matters of social equity and health education.
Support for the medical cannabis industry
The proposal demonstrates great sensitivity towards the already existing medical cannabis industry. The 10% cannabis surcharge will not apply to medical cannabis purchases, in the interest of patients. Retail sales of adult-use cannabis are expected to begin 18 months after the proposal goes into effect, with medical dispensaries being affected first.
While some lawmakers are optimistic about the plan’s potential introduction and approval during the upcoming legislative session, others caution against the ambitious timeline. David Tarnas, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, highlights the potential challenges, citing the Legislature’s focus on fighting recent wildfires and state budget negotiations.
A little popular accessory, especially since the arrival of the credit card, the money clip is nevertheless very practical. In certain countries where cash is still widely used, it remains very useful. This article will tell you everything you need to know about this item, so much so that you will want your own at the end of your reading! Decryption.
A money clip? What is this ?
It is true that apart from in certain films, it is rare to see a money clip in real life. And yet… This little accessory looks exactly like a large paperclip or pliers. If its primary purpose is to keep your tickets all together, it can also be used to hold business cards or simply your papers if you have to go out without a wallet.
Discreet and light, it is an asset to avoid having your pockets distorted by a large wallet or to carry only what is necessary without having to use a large bag. However, the money clip can also be used in the wallet to prevent your notes from lying around.
The money clip: a chic accessory that catches the eye
Imagine yourself on a date or dinner with clients. The time comes to pay the bill and there you take out your money clip from inside your jacket. Discreet, it nevertheless attracts attention. It is a fairly rare accessory and mainly used by gentlemen. Enough to score points with your date, but also in the professional world since you will immediately be taken seriously with such an accessory.
To use it, nothing could be simpler: you just need to take a wad of banknotes and line them up properly. Then fold it in half. Open the money clip and pinch them widthwise or directly at the fold. Its location depends on the tastes of the users. There is no particular method to favor over another. Slip the bundle held by the money clip into your pocket and you’re ready to go out light.
The next Club Confluence, organized by the specialist consulting firm Augur Associates and Newsweed, will take place in Paris on Wednesday December 6 from 7 p.m.
This Confluence Club will be an opportunity to decipher the latest advances on medical cannabis in France, with speakers involved in the subject. These round tables will be followed by a networking moment between participants.
The event is reserved for registered people. You can register at the following link.
The Confluence Club: a convergence of actors
The Confluence Club makes it easier to meet new people who work in the field of cannabis and hemp in France. This informal venue allows for meaningful connections and professional partnerships that extend beyond these events.
For three years, a community and a meeting space have been created which are working towards the prosperous development of a professional cannabis network in France. The event is reserved for registered people and the number of participants is limited. The Confluence Club thus wishes to ensure that the mission and values of the Club are aligned with everyone who joins the events.
Registration is free and can be done directly on the Club Confluence website (subject to availability). The location and time of the event will be sent directly to those registered.
You can follow the activities of Club Confluence by registering on the LinkedIn group of the same name.
Last week, the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) published its detailed report on the illicit cannabis market in the European Union.
The report, based on the latest data from the EMCDDA and its co-author Europol, reveals the extent of the illicit cannabis market, worth 11.4 billion euros, which would have served 22.6 million of Europeans over the past year.
Although the market size “remains stable”, the report raises a number of major concerns, including the sharp increase in THC potency, the rapid emergence of semi-synthetic cannabinoids such as HHC, and the environmental implications of illicit cultivation of cannabis in Europe.
“All of these developments take place amid an ongoing political debate in Europe and around the world, which impacts both licit and illicit markets, leading to challenges for law enforcement and criminal justice systems,” Andrew said. Cunningham, Head of Markets, Crime and Procurement at the EMCDDA, during the report launch webinar.
Spain, Morocco and the Western Balkans
With an estimated number of users of 22.6 million last year, cannabis is the most consumed illicit substance in Europe by far, being six times more important than cocaine, the second most consumed illicit substance. consumed.
Cannabis herb, or cannabis flower, represents more than three quarters (77%) of the total market value (at least 8.8 billion euros), while cannabis resin represents the remaining 23%, estimated at approximately 362 tonnes.
The quantity of herbal cannabis seized in the EU, Norway and Turkey reached historic records in 2021, with more than 288 tonnes. According to available data, the vast majority of cannabis seized in the EU comes from a small number of countries.
One of them is Spain, which in 2021 accounted for around 51% of the total herbal cannabis seized in the EU, or around 130 tonnes, while Italy (47 tonnes) and France (nearly 40 tons) together made up another third of the total.
These figures were eclipsed by a record 850 tonnes of cannabis resin seized in 2021 across the EU, Norway and Turkey, with Spain once again accounting for the majority of seizures, around 82%.
Credit: EMCDDA
“Most of the cannabis resin available on the European market comes from Morocco and, due to its geographical location, Spain is the main entry point into the EU,” said Robert Patrancus, scientific analyst at the EMCDDA.
Although Morocco remains the main source of resin in Europe, many EU countries have reported it as a source of herbal cannabis in recent years, marking a diversification of the product.
When it comes to herbal cannabis, the report suggests that the vast majority is grown in the EU, but the Western Balkans region remains an important location for the EU’s supply of herbal cannabis.
This situation is starting to change, however, with Albania’s efforts to tackle the problem apparently leading to a decrease in seizures since 2018.
“As part of these changes, to get closer to the main consumer market, some criminal networks in the Western Balkans have adapted a new business model, seeing them become involved in the cultivation and trafficking of cannabis inside the country. EU. »
Notably, since North Macedonia legalized medical cannabis production in 2016, “large quantities” of legally grown products are being diverted to the illicit market, a trend also seen in Albania.
While the Americas, West Africa and Southeast Asia are no longer considered major sources of illicit cannabis imports, there has recently been an “increase in the frequency of weed trafficking of cannabis from Canada and the United States.
Semi-synthetic cannabinoids
Another key issue raised in the report is the growing range of different cannabis consumption products that extends well beyond the “old hash + weed model”, with vapesof the ediblesoils and extracts now readily available to consumers across Europe.
Data suggests that the THC content of cannabis has increased by 57% in weed over the past decade, and almost 200% in resin, likely due to improved genetics and cultivation techniques. ‘extraction.
Cannabis has also become more affordable, with data taking into account costs “adjusted for purity or potency in the context of a given country’s standard of living” suggesting that “your money gets you 25% more THC than before.
Source: EMCDDA
A worrying aspect of this rapidly evolving market diversification is the rise of semi-synthetic cannabinoids, which the EMCDDA says are “predominantly made from CBD”.
Substances such as HHC, Delta-8 and Delta-10-THC are found naturally in the cannabis plant in small quantities, explains the EMCDDA, but producers now commonly convert non-psychoactive CBD into these psychoactive substances in Laboratories.
“CBD has become a pioneer,” said Laurent Laniel, senior scientific analyst at the EMCDDA, during the webinar.
“Why have people suddenly decided to make these new semi-synthetic extracts from CBD? Because there has been an overproduction of CBD in the United States and Canada. People invested money in CBD cannabis production and couldn’t sell it in the market, so they converted it into these new products so as not to lose all their investment, or even make a profit. »
The danger, he adds, is that these substances are new and we don’t yet have the data to determine whether they are safe to consume.
The environmental impact of illicit cannabis production
Although the EMCDDA clarified that its data on cannabis production sites in the EU was “incomplete”, it suggested that some 7,000 illicit cultivation sites had been dismantled in 2019 across 14 member states. In 2020 and 2021, these numbers increased to 10,000 and 9,000 respectively.
The number of cannabis plants seized, a “key indicator” used to determine the scale of the illicit market, reached 4.3 million in 2021, including around 3.2 million in Spain, representing an increase of almost two times compared to 2020.
In Turkey, the number of cannabis plants seized in 2021 was 18 times higher than in the entire EU, reaching 76 million.
The scale of this market is estimated to have a significant environmental impact, given the high water and energy requirements involved in growing large quantities of cannabis, while available data is also improving due to the growing number of regulated markets in the EU.
Growing one kilogram of cannabis herb indoors requires around 6,000 kilowatt hours of electricity, which equates to around 1,400 kg of carbon footprint.
To put this into perspective, a Dutch power grid provider suggested that electricity stolen for cannabis production in 2021 was around 1 billion kilowatt hours. This is equivalent to the annual household electricity consumption of a city the size of Rotterdam.
Water use is a second major environmental impact. If grown outdoors, a cannabis plant requires approximately 19 to 21 liters of water per day, and the average growth cycle is approximately 150 days.
The EMCDDA gave the concrete example of a crop dismantled in Spain which contained 400,000 plants. Taking these figures into account, one harvest cycle would require around 1.8 billion liters of water, equivalent to the daily consumption of a country the size of Latvia.
Despite this, the carbon footprint of indoor cannabis cultivation is estimated to be 60 to 100 times larger than that of outdoor cultivation. For example, to obtain the carbon footprint of a single cannabis joint (0.3 g) grown outdoors, you would have to travel 70 meters in a hybrid electric vehicle. For cannabis grown indoors, this figure increases to 4.6 km.
The recent bankruptcy of Herbl, one of California’s largest cannabis distribution companies, sent shockwaves through the California cannabis industry.
Once a major player with product sales of $700 million in 2022, Herbl’s demise highlights deep-seated problems in California’s cannabis market, sparking concerns over unpaid bills, tax liabilities and the more general difficulties faced by companies in the sector.
Herbl’s Rapid Rise and Fall
Founded in 2016, Herbl has grown rapidly, becoming a key player in California’s legal cannabis market. The company’s success is based on numerous exclusive distribution contracts with major brands and substantial investment capacity. But a series of setbacks, including the loss of a major contract with Raw Garden in January 2022, marked the beginning of Herbl’s decline.
According to MJBizDaily, Herbl’s collapse has left tens of millions of dollars in unpaid bills to other cannabis businesses across the state, raising concerns about the stability of California’s cannabis industry. Tyler Kearns, founder and CEO of Seven Leaves, a Sacramento-based cannabis company, believes the impact will be widespread, saying Herbl’s bankruptcy was “sickening” and that his company has an $880,000 debt owed to Herbl.
Herbl’s downfall is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a broader trend in California’s cannabis industry. The state’s distribution model, which requires brands to sell through authorized distributors, has created a complex web of financial transactions. Brands are finding it difficult to collect payments, which has a cascading effect on suppliers, distributors and retailers.
Wesley Hein, president of the Cannabis Distribution Association, highlighted the broader implications of Herbl’s collapse, saying it should serve as a “wake-up call to policymakers.” Mr. Hein stressed the need to take immediate action to address regulatory, tax and illicit market issues, highlighting the fragility of the industry.
Domino effect
Various California cannabis companies began reporting payment issues with Herbl in the spring, with unpaid or partially paid invoices becoming more common in recent weeks. This financial pressure has had a domino effect, affecting the entire supply chain, from growers to retailers. Ciencia Labs CEO Ben Mitchell highlighted the difficulties faced by brands trying to get paid: “Unfortunately, we will not be paid by Herbl.”
Herbl’s bankruptcy also highlights the difficulties faced by cannabis businesses in California, which are subject to a more restrictive set of rules than those in other industries. Observers say the lack of government intervention in Herbl’s case raises questions about support for cannabis businesses, especially compared to other struggling sectors.
Various legal actions have been brought by dissatisfied brands seeking compensation. Ali Jamalian, owner of Sunset Connect, filed a lawsuit accusing Herbl executives of fraud and entering into contracts without the intention of payment. Herbl currently owes at least $2.2 million to various cannabis brands, and is expecting $1.9 million from retailers who haven’t paid the distributor.
Adam Cavanaugh, president of the Cannabiz Credit Association, has shined a spotlight on the difficulties faced by creditors in the cannabis industry, citing a lack of access to traditional bankruptcy protections. The lack of such protections poses a significant risk to companies doing business with cannabis-related entities, making it more difficult to collect outstanding debts.
A warning for the industry
Herbl’s collapse is a cautionary tale for California’s cannabis industry. Beyond the impacts of Herbl’s bankruptcy, the broader regulatory landscape, tax issues, and competition from the illicit market pose significant threats to the industry’s viability. HERBL’s fate should not only prompt reflection on its specific circumstances, but also serve as a catalyst for deeper change in the state’s cannabis regulation.
Although the Czech government finally backed away from banning CBD products earlier this year, a proposed law would subject these products to strict restrictions. The government bill amending in particular Law No. 167/1998 Coll., on addictive substances, aims to considerably limit this more or less free sale of kratom and CBD.
Definition of 2 substances
The proposed legislation separates “psychomodulatory substances” from “psychoactive substances.”
CBD is considered a psychomodulatory substance, that is, a substance that modifies or modulates the central nervous system. These substances present a low risk of negative effects on health or society and are not included in international drug lists, their regulation being left to the discretion of States.
In December 2020, the European Commission ruled that CBD was not a narcotic drug and could sometimes be classified as a food if it met the relevant provisions of EU food law. The decision also stated that CBD products should benefit from the same free movement of goods between and among member states as other legal products.
Kratom is considered a psychoactive substance within the meaning of the proposed measure, i.e. a substance “whose risks to health cannot be excluded on the basis of current scientific knowledge”. However, it is not considered a drug in international conventions.
The list of substances that will be subject to sales restrictions are established by government regulations. The government is introducing this method of regulation in order to be able to respond quickly and effectively to any new psychoactive substances appearing on the market. According to Minister Bartoš, this is an “innovative and functional regulation for this group of substances”.
More regulations on CBD
CBD is sold almost everywhere in the Czech Republic and in all its forms. After the Ministry of Health announced its intention to completely ban CBD products last April, the Czech government reversed course and finally decided to establish clear rules for their control and sale.
The first changes came under an amendment passed in July regarding synthetic psychoactive products such as HHC and delta-8 THC, which are made from hemp-derived CBD. This legislation limited the sale of these products to people over 18 years of age under the supervision of a seller, and prohibited sales in vending machines as well as all advertising.
Other specific rules in the proposed measure relate to CBD and kratom:
Sales are limited to specialist stores and retailers must register with the government and pay a tax of around 5,000 euros
Products must undergo laboratory tests and obtain certificates indicating the concentration of active substances
Stores that carry the products must display signs indicating that consumers under the age of 18 are not allowed to enter.
Physical points of sale and online stores must separate substances from other products they offer
The packaging must indicate whether the products are “psychomodulator” or “psychoactive”, and the substances must be identified by name, subtype and form; the recommended dosage should also be indicated
Gifts and samples cannot be distributed
The new regulation would also introduce several prohibitions such as:
Sales through vending machines will be prohibited
Advertising for CBD will be banned
E-stores will have to verify the age of their customers
Online stores will be banned from cross-border sales
It will be strictly prohibited to use customers’ personal data for purposes other than the delivery of purchased goods.
In June 2022, Thailand made history by becoming the first Asian country to decriminalize cannabis, paving the way for more than 6,000 cannabis shops across the country.
This rush for green gold, however, has encountered an unexpected obstacle: opposition has intensified under the leadership of new Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin who seeks a delicate balance between economic opportunities and public health concerns.
The rise of the Thai cannabis industry
Thailand’s foray into cannabis liberalization began in 2018 when it became the first Southeast Asian nation to legalize cannabis for medical purposes. The following years were marked by various amendments authorizing the production and sale of medical cannabis for businesses but also for individuals. Thailand’s newfound tolerance of cannabis stood in stark contrast to neighboring countries, such as Singapore and Malaysia, which maintain strict punitive measures for cannabis-related crimes.
The decriminalization of cannabis in June 2022, with very broad regulations, resulted in the proliferation of thousands of cannabis stores across the country. A regulatory void emerged, creating difficulties in overseeing an industry that grew faster than the government could regulate it.
In Bangkok, dispensaries are scattered throughout the streets, with shopping malls housing up to 20 cannabis businesses. This situation prompted the newly elected government, led by Prime Minister Thavisin, to want to regulate the cannabis industry and use.
Regulatory challenges and public health concerns
The unexpected growth of the cannabis industry has forced the government to reevaluate its policies. Health Minister Mr Cholnan Srikaew stressed that despite the economic benefits, health considerations would take priority. The failure to pass a new version of Thailand’s cannabis bill before May’s elections has highlighted concerns about the risks of abuse and addiction. Mr Thavisin has pledged to “rectify” Thailand’s cannabis laws, limiting its use for medical purposes within six months of taking office.
Prime Minister Thavisin recognized the need for a complete rewrite of cannabis laws at the time. He said regulations needed to be “rectified” to ensure cannabis was regulated exclusively for medical use. Asked if there was a compromise for recreational use, Mr. Thavisin responded firmly with a “no,” citing the widespread problems associated with cannabis use in recent times.
The government, led by Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew, intends to strengthen control of the Thai cannabis industry. A new cannabis bill is expected to be submitted for Cabinet approval in December. The revised bill is expected to fill gaps and gaps, define permitted uses of cannabis and introduce new cultivation protocols and new criminal penalties for violations. It remains to be seen what will be included in “medical” use and which would still allow the industry to develop and welcome the many tourists now looking for legal cannabis in this part of the world.
The German Cannabis Act (CanG), which should establish a regulatory framework for the adult use of cannabis in the country, has been postponed by a few months. As we wrote recently, the bill “will be voted on in December,” German politician Carmen Wegge wrote in a message on X/ex-Twitter.
“This means we will not meet the schedule. »
She also indicated that improvements to the bill are still under discussion.
Discussions and improvements
As reported by the Legal Tribune Online (LTO), few, if any, of the important questions surrounding the bill, such as the realism of a ban on consumption within a 200 meter perimeter around places where children could be found (school, youth organization, playground , sports field) and around Cannabis Clubs or the question of whether the 25 gram limit applies to home cultivation, have not found an answer.
Furthermore, fractures between different elements of the coalition working group are increasingly apparent, with parliamentarians warning that the hearing made it clear that “profound changes” were needed before the current draft was ready.
Kirsten Kappert-Gonther of the Green Party tweeted last week that “some wording still needs to be reworked on certain points. This is a good cause, quality takes precedence over time pressure. Completion is scheduled for December. »
Another SPD member, Dirk Heidenblut, also posted a now-deleted message on his Instagram giving more details about the planned new schedule.
He said: “Unfortunately, my confidence was unfounded: “Unfortunately, my confidence was unfounded. As always, the difficulty lies in the details and it still takes time to properly develop the necessary committee submissions. Therefore, the CanG cannot be used next week, but only in the 50th week. This means that the Federal Council does not start before February, and therefore not before March 1, 2024.”
What is happening now?
Germany had initially indicated the law could come into force before the end of the year, but the delay means the start of 2024 is more realistic.
Although the date for the final hearing in the Bundestag has only been pushed back by a month, with a new date scheduled between December 13 and 15, the bill still needs to be considered by the Bundresrat (Federal Council). .
Although this is essentially a formality and the Bundesrat does not have the power to stop the bill once it has passed the Bundestag, the final session of the state house is scheduled for December 15.
As the Federal Council is not due to meet before February 2, 2024, final approval of the bill will therefore have to take place after this date.
The South African National Assembly approved the Cannabis for Private Use Bill on Tuesday, November 14, marking a significant step forward towards the legalization of the personal use of cannabis.
This development follows the 2018 Constitutional Court ruling which ended the prohibition of cannabis in the country. However, as with all cannabis reform, the path to legalization is paved with complexities and nuances.
Why does South Africa want to legalize cannabis?
The roots of this legislative journey date back to the 2017 Western Cape High Court decision, which found the ban on adult consumption of cannabis in private places unconstitutional. Rastafarian Garreth Prince and former Dagga Party leader Jeremy Acton were instrumental in challenging the ban, arguing that it disproportionately targeted black and indigenous South Africans.
The Constitutional Court upheld this decision in 2018, tasking the government to approve an appropriate draft law by September 28, 2024, in order to finalize the legislative reform process.
The Private Cannabis Bill has garnered support from various political parties including the African National Congress, Democratic Alliance, Inkatha Freedom Party, Economic Freedom Fighters, National Party of Freedom and the Pan-Africanist Congress of Azania. However, not all voices are in harmony, as the Freedom Front Plus and the African Christian Democratic Party voiced their opposition during the plenary meeting of the National Assembly.
Although the bill does not explicitly create a recreational cannabis market or legalize sales, the commission and the South African government are optimistic about its potential impact on the country’s cannabis industry. The government has made the cannabis and hemp sector a priority, recognizing its potential to attract investment, create jobs and support sustainable rural livelihoods.
Democratic Alliance MP Janho Engelbrecht highlighted the scope of the bill before the Assembly: “This concerns cannabis for private use for adults. It is not permitted to buy or sell cannabis, as it remains a criminal activity with serious consequences. If you want to smoke cannabis you have to grow it, don’t buy it.”
Erasure of criminal records
One notable aspect of the bill is its provision for expunging the criminal records of people previously convicted of cannabis-related offenses. Like the evolution of cannabis regulation in the United States, this measure aims to rectify the consequences of previous convictions and is part of the global trend towards decriminalization.
However, the bill does not specify the quantities of cannabis plants and dried cannabis authorized for private use. To fill this gap, the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Ronald Lamola, will draft regulations, submitted to Parliament for approval, which will define the parameters for the consumption of cannabis by adults in private spaces.
Despite the recent approval of the bill, its journey has been long. Moloto Mothapo, Parliament’s spokesperson, attributed the protracted process to concerns about the potential impact on children. The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development asked the committee to broaden the subject matter of the bill to include considerations related to the best interests of children, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach.
Mothapo clarified: “The bill as it was tabled and deliberated by the committee until its meeting on September 12, 2023 did not exceed the adult-centered objective of the use of cannabis at private purposes.
The bill will now be sent to the National Council of Provinces for approval.
