Will Italy cannabis industry Legalization Marijuana?

Cannabis reform is spreading fast across Europe in the happiest take-over the continent has ever experienced.

One country in particular that’s moved towards a more understanding view of cannabis is Italy. In the last few years, the Italians have managed to almost completely decriminalize marijuana. As well, they have introduced a medical cannabis program and cultivated domestic crops for Italian patients.

The Radicali Italiani Party, with help from many other anti-prohibitionist groups, is in the process of drafting a bill to legalize adult-use cannabis. If successful, this would be the catalyst for a robust Italian cannabis industry much like the in-coming system in Canada.

In an exclusive North American interview with Marijuana.com, Antonella Soldo, the President of Radicali Italiani and one of the authors of the bill, discusses the likely hurdles on the path of cannabis legalization.

It’s fantastic that Italy is looking into legalizing marijuana. Has the bill been introduced?

No, the bill has not been introduced yet. We hope it will happen soon, but there are several steps. First of all, [we need to] persuade the majority of Parliament that this is the right thing.

At present, in Italy, cannabis is legal only for medical purposes, but it is still difficult to find a doctor to prescribe without the fear of being persecuted. There is also a lack of information among health personnel. We need a change of mind.

Last year, the Italian Government started its first domestic production of medical marijuana. In Firenze, there is a pharmaceutical plant led by the Italian army. Maybe this will help people get a new [perspective] on this matter.

What are the guidelines in your proposed bill to legalize? Will marijuana be sold in stores with a minimum age limit to buy it?

Last year, 300 members of Parliament [were presented] a proposal of law to legalize production, sale and use of cannabis. On July 25th, for the first time in Italian history, the Parliament discussed it, but just for one day. The majority didn’t agree with this proposal and stopped the debate.

At the moment, the Justice and Social Affairs Commissions are working to find a collective text and restart the debate.

A few months ago, Radicali Italiani together with the Luca Coscioni Association and with all the major anti-prohibitionist movements in Italy promoted a popular proposal of law. We created a successful campaign called Legalizziamo, and raised 68,000 signatures of Italian citizens asking for legal marijuana.

In our proposal, [cultivation] should be allowed in three different ways: National production (sold in authorized stores), self production (5 plants per person) and collective production (cannabis clubs).

In terms of use, you can keep 15 grams in your house, and you can have with you 5 grams when you are outside. Selling and use of cannabis for minors is forbidden.

Are the legalization efforts anywhere else in the world, such as Canada for example, part of the reason why this is happening in Italy?

Of course they are. Thanks to other countries’ experiences, we are able to study data concerning legalization. For example, the reduction of overcrowding in jails and the reduction of minors using drugs.

Was your party the one responsible for the idea behind this bill in the first place?

Our political movement has fought for legal marijuana since the 1970s. Marco Pannella (our historical leader) in 1975 was imprisoned for marijuana. That was the first of a long series of nonviolent activities Radicali implemented over the years.

What are your chances of being successful?

We have to focus our efforts on what is possible, and this is possible. I’m not sure on the timetable, but I’m sure we will be successful.

What would you like the world to know regarding your efforts to legalize cannabis in Italy?

Legalizing cannabis is not only a business opportunity. Overall, it is a way to solve one of the most important social issues in our country, as 30 percent of people in jail are imprisoned because of the violation of the law on drugs. [As well,]  20 percent of people in jail are addicts and 30 percent of Italian students use drugs. [This is]  not only cannabis but also heroin and cocaine, which puts them in close contact with criminal organizations. We need to control and regulate this black market.

credit: marijuana.com