Will Slovenia legalize cannabis? His voters expressed themselves in this sense in any case in a referendum on the cultivation and possession of cannabis for medical purposes and limited personal use.
Public approval of cannabis measures
Slovenian voters expressed their support for cannabis reforms through two separate questions in Sunday’s election. These measures were placed on the ballot by the Slovenian National Assembly in April.
The first measure asked whether the Republic of Slovenia should allow the cultivation and processing of cannabis for medical purposes.
The measure received overwhelming support and passed by a margin of 67% to 33%.
The second measure, which addressed whether Slovenia should allow the cultivation and possession of cannabis for limited personal use, was approved by a narrower margin of 52% to 48%.
Although the sale and use of medical cannabis is already legal in Slovenia, cultivation remains prohibited. The recent vote is “only” advisory and not legally binding. Legislators are therefore not required to act on it. The various stakeholders, however, hope that it could significantly influence future legislation.
The overwhelming public support for these measures certainly suggests a shift in public opinion and could pave the way for legislative changes that align with voter preferences.
European trend
Slovenia’s recent vote is part of a broader trend of cannabis reform in Europe. For example, the‘Germany started recently to implement a law on the legalization of cannabis.
In neighboring Italy, efforts are underway to reform cannabis and psychedelic policy were frustrated in 2022 from the highest court in the country.
However, growing support emerges in favor of a more targeted measure on cannabis, which would allow the cultivation of four plants at home, the creation of Cannabis Clubs and the removal of sanctions against consumers.
Malta also made headlines by becoming the first European country to legalize cannabisits president signed a reform project in 2021.
This historic decision has created a precedent for other countries in the region that are considering similar reforms, particularly around Cannabis Clubs.