Despite the increasing popularity of medicinal cannabis in Spain, the Spanish government is still reluctant to create a legal, regulated local market. The Partido Popular is opposed to legalization and has not been vocal about the matter. The Socialist Party has also stayed silent, but associations have been more vocal. The political situation has changed significantly in 2017, with the EU and the United States changing their attitude toward marijuana regulation. Here is a breakdown of the political situation in Spain.
The Spanish government currently prohibits the sale of medical cannabis in its country, despite granting production licenses and exporting. At least one licensed producer is exporting cannabis flower to Germany, and is working to open up a medical market in the country. The government’s response to these petitions effectively annihilates the chances of a medical cannabis program in Spain. It states that the “available evidence” is not sufficient for a generalized medical cannabis market.
Although possession of up to 10 grams of dried cannabis is a criminal offense, possession of more than that is considered a civil offense. Selling it, on the other hand, carries a prison sentence of two to eighteen years. This legislation discover more was the subject of a cross-party bill that was defeated in the parliament. The bill would have permitted the storage of up to 1.25 kilograms of dried cannabis in a private residence and allowing individuals to give it to friends for free.
The EU’s regulation of the legality of medical cannabis products is not as complex as that of other countries. In the EU, hemp products containing less than 0.2% THC are legal and can be consumed without breaking the law. However, girl scout cookies seeds for sale the same is not true for CBD and it has not been used as a food ingredient before 15 May 1997. The government is still working on making the products legal, despite its reluctance to allow them to reach the market.
Those interested in becoming a member of a club must first find a local residential address in Spain. Airbnb or similar accommodation is an ideal choice, but hostel addresses won’t be accepted. Membership to the club will usually require a membership fee, ranging from 15 to 50 euros, and members share cannabis during private meetings. However, medical marijuana remains illegal in Spain. Although legal in most of the EU countries, doctors are still not allowed to prescribe cannabis.
As the legalization of marijuana gains momentum globally, there is no reason why Spain can’t be among the first to legalize the substance. There are ample plots of land, climate, and experience in growing marijuana. With legalization, the country could become the California of Europe, with marijuana making up around 3.3 billion euros. And it’s an important first step to ensuring that the legal market is regulated.
In addition to the legal framework, Morocco also has a law that permits the cultivation of the cannabis plant for medical purposes. This ban does not affect the production of medical cannabis or the legal production of pharmaceutical products containing cannabis. Morocco is the world’s top producer of hashish and still remains illegal for recreational use. Further reform is expected to allow local cannabis market, but this has been stalled in the last few years.
The European cannabis industry is growing at a rapid pace, with the potential to become worth over USD 200 billion. After legalization in the United States, Europe is poised to join the race for a cannabis market that is larger than any other region in the world. The European market is largely free of the complications of the North American market, and has the potential to grow throughout Europe.
In Israel, KIs see the opening of the domestic cannabis market as a great opportunity for legalizing illegal growers. Foreign investors could help finance necessary infrastructure and help the transition of illegal growers to legal cultivation. But it is important to note that foreign investment must be responsible and commit to helping disadvantaged communities. This is where the potential of legalization in Spain really lies. And if it does, it could provide a big boost for the country’s struggling economy.
Canada is another EU and G7 country that has not legalized medical cannabis. This country was close to legalizing it in 2016, but ultimately rejected it, citing concerns about the black market and the Mafia. The parliament opted for a strange compromise: cannabis should be covered by national health insurance. This decision will help to protect the country’s reputation as a leading medical cannabis nation.