Members of the European Parliament have called on regulators across the continent to pave the way for comprehensive cannabis reform.
For the first time in its history, the European Parliament held a debate on cannabis during a session entitled “Legalization of the personal use of cannabis: Exchange of good practices”.
The event was co-sponsored by four of the seven major European political blocs, representing almost 50% of the 705 elected members of Parliament.
Organized in Brussels, it was chaired by Irishman Luke Flanagan, Member of the European Parliament, who addressed the following message to the regulatory authorities of the European Union, namely the European Commission.
“Get out of there! »
“The importance of this gathering is not so much to know what we can get from the European Commission, but rather to ensure that it does not get in the way and hinder this process. »
“We are not competent in this area, but it seems that the Commission has the power to put a spoke in the wheels of the countries which try to do so. »
“The best thing we can do is make sure we all know what the Commission is telling us – and that it’s consistent – so we all know exactly what’s going on. »
“As MEPs, we cannot directly change the law, but we can ensure that states that want to go down this road do so as easily as possible. »
The debate was co-organized by Czech politician Mikuláš Peksa, president of the European Pirate Party, which is part of the Greens/European Free Alliance parliamentary bloc, with 73 MEPs.
The Socialists and Democrats, the second largest bloc in parliament, with 143 members from 26 EU countries, also backed the event. The center-right bloc, the group of European conservatives and reformists and the left bloc, which together have around 100 deputies, also gave their support.
The hearing featured speakers from Germany, Ireland and the Czech Republic, all of which are considering proposals to reform their national cannabis laws.
Tomas Sadilek, who helps the Czech government draft its cannabis laws, explained that a majority of people in his home country favor reform and recalled efforts to create a regulated market.
