Monday, the Italian Minister of Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigidamade headlines by refusing a “cannabis light” joint offered to him by a reporter.
His reaction, “Even if it means smoking a joint, you can still do good,” was considered both humorous and controversial, sparking a wide-ranging debate about the cannabis light in Italy.
The context of cannabis light in Italy
U cannabis lightcontaining less than 0.5% THC, it is legal for production and distribution. sale in Italy from the end of 2019.
Despite its legality, the current ultraconservative government led by George Meloniin office from October 2022, ban its sale and productiona position that contrasts both with the prevalence of hemp CBD and its derived products in Italy and with other political factions that support the general legalization of cannabis to combat illegal trafficking.
Lollobrigida’s categorical rejection and her subsequent comments highlight the political debate and Current social situation around cannabis in Italy.
His response to the journalist during an election rally not only underlined his opposition to light cannabis, but also reinforced his more general stance against its cultivation.
“I have no intention of converting our wheat fields, our crops, into light cannabis fields. Quite the opposite. I think we can survive without it,” he said firmly.
Public and political reaction
The minister’s comments quickly went viral, sparking a mix of criticism and amusement on social media. His remarks were widely reported and many users mocked his stance.
At the political level, reactions were more divided. Riccardo Magigeneral secretary of the centrist party Europetook advantage of the incident to call for the legalization of cannabis, reflecting a sentiment shared by many Italians.
Towards a ban on CBD hemp?
The potential ban on light cannabis could have significant social and economic consequences. Since its legalization in 2019, the light cannabis industry has grown in Italy, offering new opportunities to farmers and companies that work for Italian shops, but also export massively throughout Europe.
A reversal of this policy could not only slow economic growth, but also push consumers into illegal markets, forcing the very problems that the government aims to solve.