Connect with us

News

Luxembourg legalises home grow and personal use of cannabis – what you need to know

The move is part of a is part of a phased approach to cannabis reform in Luxembourg. 

Published

on

Residents in Luxembourg can now legally grow up to four cannabis plants at home.

Officials in Luxembourg have approved a bill legalising the cultivation and personal use of cannabis at home. Here’s what you need to know.

On Wednesday 28 June, the Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg voted to legalise personal possession and home cultivation of up to four cannabis plants per household.

The bill first entered parliament over a year ago and was finally approved with 38 votes in favour and 22 against.

Residents can now grow up to four plants at home, providing they are not visible from any public roads.

Plants must be grown exclusively from seeds labelled with producer information and health warnings.

However, according to the Ministry of Justice ‘seeds for domestic cultivation’ are not yet available in Luxembourg and will have to be purchased online or from abroad. It notes that these will be subject to checks regarding the legality of the seeds in the country concerned.

The bill also decriminalises the public possession of small quantities of cannabis. 

Personal consumption will be permitted in private, but not in the presence of minors or in public places.

Adults found with up to 3g of cannabis for personal use will face reduced fines, ranging from €25 to €500. However, larger quantities may still carry higher fines and potential prison sentences.

The law is expected to be published in the Official Gazette by the end of this week or early next, and is part of a two-stage approach to cannabis reform in Luxembourg. 

The next phase will see the development of a state-controlled cannabis supply chain, with points of sale also planned for the long term. 

Some reports have suggested that the pilot would see a maximum purchase limit of 5g of cannabis per day and 30g per month, with findings monitored by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) to evaluate the impact on public health. 

Justice Minister Sam Tanson (Déi Gréng) told the Chamber of Deputies: “The drug policy that we have been pursuing for 50 years has been a failure.”

The country’s health ministry first revealed that it was looking to begin the process of legalising recreational cannabis in 2019.

It follows Malta, which made history in 2021 as the first EU country to end the prohibition of cannabis for personal consumption. Germany is expected to adopt a similar approach, with a bill due to be submitted to parliament this summer. 

Want more stories like this direct to your inbox? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter here 

Home » News » Luxembourg legalises home grow and personal use of cannabis – what you need to know

Sarah Sinclair is an award-winning freelance journalist covering health, drug policy and social affairs. She is one of the few UK reporters specialising in medical cannabis policy and as the former editor of Cannabis Health has covered developments in the European cannabis sector extensively, with a focus on patients and consumers. She continues to report on cannabis-related health and policy for Forbes, Cannabis Health and Business of Cannabis and has written for The i Paper, Byline Times, The Lead, Positive News, Leafie & others. Sarah has an NCTJ accreditation and an MA in Journalism from the University of Sunderland and has completed additional specialist training through the Medical Cannabis Clinicians Society in the UK. She has spoken at leading industry events such as Cannabis Europa.

Trending

Cannabis Health is a journalist-led news site. Any views expressed by interviewees or commentators do not reflect our own. All content on this site is intended for educational purposes, please seek professional medical advice if you are concerned about any of the issues raised.

Copyright © 2024 PP Intelligence Ltd.