Italian Cannabis Reform Campaign Nears Signature Milestone in Record Time

ROME — In an unprecedented surge of public support, a campaign for cannabis reform in Italy has achieved nearly half the required signatures in just one week to bring the issue before the Parliament. This development signals a growing momentum in Europe for cannabis legislation, following Germany’s anticipated legalization of adult-use cannabis in 2024.

The Italian campaign, initiated earlier in December, aims to gather 50,000 signatures within six months. The proposed bill, titled “The Decriminalization of the Cultivation for Personal Use and in Associated Form of Cannabis,” is focused on allowing individuals to grow up to four cannabis plants for personal use. Additionally, it would permit the formation of cannabis social clubs for collective cultivation and distribution among members. The bill also proposes increasing the possession limit to 30 grams of cannabis and abolishing current administrative penalties, such as the withdrawal of driving licenses and passports.

This campaign represents the second major effort in Italy for cannabis reform. A previous attempt in 2021 sought to address both cannabis legalization and psychedelic reform but was blocked by a top Italian court for failing to meet constitutional standards.

Marco Perduca, a former Italian senator and prominent advocate, remains a key figure in this renewed push. “Parliament will be forced to listen to us, but only when we have collected 50,000 signatures,” Perduca expressed in a recent statement, highlighting the importance of public participation in legislative change.

Antonella Soldo, a coordinator with Associazione Meglio Legale (Better Legal Association), one of the leading advocacy groups for the petition, emphasized the widespread support for the legislation. She attributes the immediate interest to the direct impact of anti-cannabis policies on Italian families, describing the fight against cannabis as a “useless waste of resources” that fails to deter mafia activities and instead affects ordinary citizens.

Echoing Germany’s stance on cannabis legalization, Soldo mentioned that Italy’s bill was inspired by the German model. Germany’s proposed law allows for the cultivation of up to three plants at home and the possession of specific quantities of cannabis both in public and private spaces. The Italian campaign also references German Prime Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach’s remarks on the initiative’s focus on protecting young people.

With Germany set to legalize cannabis cultivation and possession on April 1, 2024, and establish cannabis social clubs later that year, Italy’s campaigners see a window of opportunity. They believe that once Germany legalizes cannabis, the Italian Parliament cannot continue to ignore the failure of prohibition policies.

The rapid accumulation of signatures in Italy reflects a growing European trend towards reconsidering cannabis legislation. As more countries explore and implement legalization, the impact on public health, crime reduction, and social attitudes towards cannabis will be closely monitored by policymakers and the international community.