What EMCDDA Changes to the Cannabis Law in the European Union Mean for the Industry

The European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) has announced the publication of its latest work program for 2024-2026 , marking a milestone in the history of the agency. This event coincides with the upcoming transition of the EMCDDA into the newly established European Drugs Agency (EUDA), making the published work program the last in its current form.

The European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) is entering a new phase of activity, particularly with regard to cannabis. As it transforms into the European Drugs Agency (EUDA) and expands its mandate, the EMCDDA is placing an emphasis on helping decision-makers shape cannabis policy.

Read more about the changes to the cannabis law in the European Union and find the latest cannabis news of the day with our companion app Born2Invest.

What changes will the cannabis industry face?

The approach to cannabis is changing in Europe. Many countries are starting to relax their laws, moving from prohibitions to more open policies. The EMCDDA is monitoring these changes and plans to help countries make informed decisions. The idea is that cannabis policy should be based on solid evidence and data, not just opinions and stereotypes.

Malta and Luxembourg have already allowed home cultivation and personal use, as has the Netherlands, which is experimenting with a closed supply chain for cannabis coffee shops. Germany and the Czech Republic are also preparing to regulate recreational cannabis use.

What EMCDDA changes mean in practice?

The EMCDDA intends to create specific tools and resources to help countries formulate and evaluate their cannabis policies. It will be a “toolbox” full of information that will help decision-makers choose the best path.

Whether it’s decriminalizing the possession of cannabis for personal use or legalizing and controlling its sales, each country will be able to adapt its policy to its needs, using the best available data.

The EMCDDA is working to build a robust database that will allow for accurate tracking and analysis of cannabis trends. The agency wants decision-makers to have access to up-to-date information to help them make informed decisions. In the future, this means a better understanding of the impact of cannabis on society, public health and the illicit drug market.

What does all this mean for cannabis policy in the European Union?

Thanks to the work of the EMCDDA, European countries will have a solid basis on which to shape their cannabis policies. This is a step towards making more conscious and thoughtful decisions. This could mean changes in the way cannabis is treated in law, from legalization to more balanced regulation. All this to make the policy more adapted to the realities of the 21st century and not based on principles built several dozen years ago, when knowledge about cannabis was much more limited.

The EMCDDA work program for 2024–2026 is intended to set new directions for development and adaptation to the changing reality of drug law in the European Union. The transition to the European Drugs Agency (EUDA) opens up new opportunities and challenges for the agency. Together, based on the solid foundations developed by the EMCDDA, the new agency has the potential to transform current EU activities in the area of ​​drug policy, ensuring the safety and health of EU citizens. The agency will also focus on developing new resources to help reduce cannabis harm and improve understanding of available treatments, including online support.

The expanding horizon of psychedelics policy

The EMCDDA/EUDA is also intensifying its activities to disseminate knowledge about the medical use of controlled psychedelic substances in the European Union. Recently, the European Union took a significant step in this direction by granting €6.5 million for research into the use of psilocybin in palliative care.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is also organizing a landmark meeting titled “ Towards a new EU regulation on psychedelics ”, which aims to establish regulatory guidelines for the development and therapeutic use of these substances in Europe. Rapid changes in this area require a better understanding of these substances’ effectiveness, potential harms, and appropriate policy responses.

Changes in European cannabis policy are taking place in the context of global trends towards the legalization and regulation of recreational cannabis markets

This is a challenge and an opportunity for Member States to adapt their approaches in light of these trends. In 2024 and beyond, the EMCDDA/EUDA plans to build the foundation for a “cannabis policy toolkit” that will include practical tools and resources to support policymakers in implementing evidence-based decisions in the area of ​​cannabis policy. In 2024, the agency plans to further disseminate the support package to better help policymakers and planners develop and evaluate cannabis policies in their countries.

These changes to cannabis policy in Europe are a response to the growing understanding that policy must evolve with science, society and global trends. The EMCDDA/EUDA plays a key role in providing data, analysis and support that help shape these policies based on solid evidence and best practice.

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(Featured image by ALEXANDRE LALLEMAND via Unsplash)

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First published in FaktyKonopne. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

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