What’s going on with the legalization of cannabis in Belgium?

Like the Belgian cannabis advocates this year on April 20th. extolled that the country is hopelessly behind the times in terms of reforms. This is true not only in comparison to other countries across Europe, but also to its neighbors who coexist in a tripartite political and economic union and alliance within the EU. These are the so-called Benelux countries. Founded in 1944, this interregional coalition consists of Holland, Luxembourg and Belgium. In many respects, the cooperation between the three countries is similar to the DACH alliance, which unites Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

However, when it comes to cannabis, Belgium lags behind its closest neighbors and economic partners in a way not seen in the DACH coalition – where all three countries within it have made progress on reform – and Switzerland is not once there EU

When it comes to the countries within the Benelux alliance, Belgium is also dramatically behind Holland with its coffeeshops awaiting national cultivation and distribution system, as well as Luxembourg now on the brink of recreational reform, if only home cultivation is a first step.

Belgium is the last country within the alliance where the plant remains completely illegal. However, a person who grows a single plant in their own home will generally not be prosecuted.

What is the problem?

The state of cannabis reform in Belgium

Cannabis offenses are given a “low prosecution priority” in Belgium as long as the offender is over 18, weighs less than 3 grams and is not considered a “public nuisance”. These are the general guidelines followed by the authorities since 2003.

CBD also falls into this legally vague space. Although it is possible to buy CBD oil domestically, sellers must advise customers to look online for advice on usage. Since 2020, CBD oil for external use can be sold in pharmacies. Since 2015, high-THC products such as Sativex have also become available.

As of 2018, Belgian scientists publicly concluded that the country’s cannabis policies have harmful consequences for society. Proponents of legalization also point out that the leisure reform would bring up to 700 million euros (roughly the same dollars) to the domestic economy annually.

Since 2006, cannabis social clubs have grown in popularity in the country. These are modeled on the Spanish clubs. Like Spain, they rely on loopholes in the law to operate. So far there have been two cases against the clubs, neither of which has led to a formal conviction.

The Belgian Workers’ Party – or PvdA – has a detailed plan on how to legalize the drug while tackling abuse and addiction, including regulating the industry.

In April 2019, the country established a government cannabis agency that currently holds the exclusive right to distribute medicinal cannabis, although it is not yet active.

The impact of cannabis reform on European politics here

Brussels, the country’s capital, is also the center of EU politics. With that in mind, don’t expect Belgium to take forward-thinking moves on cannabis until sovereign reform is established across the European Union.

However, given the pace that’s been happening within the EU’s borders (see Germany and Luxembourg, not to mention Malta last year) this year, as well as near its borders in Switzerland, it’s clear that while reforms here The status quo won’t last much longer. Even France has embraced the idea of ​​medicinal efficacy.

With several countries across the region also including Portugal and Spain, as well as Greece and Italy now regulating at least the medical industry and in some cases making strides on the recreational side as well, Belgium will follow. Even if change here is lagging behind the forerunners of progress across the continent.

However, there are now many people in this trilingual country who are dying for the government to, as the Flemish proverb says, Vooruit met de geit; colloquially it means “let’s get on with it”, although the literal translation means “go on with the goat”.