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This week in ISMOKE magazine we are be taking a look across the Channel to see what our European neighbours are up to with regard to cannabis law reform and future legalisation.
Spain
The Spanish constitutional courts have recently ruled that the 50-year-old unofficial policy of tolerance towards cannabis is in fact illegal. The country's main court has recently ruled that the regional parliaments don’t have the power to regulate Cannabis Social Clubs under the existing legal system and have hinted that the countries current relaxed attitudes towards cannabis consumption and social clubs may, in fact, be coming to an end.15
Europe is currently experiencing a period of change as more countries, led by Germany and Poland, begin to look at their cannabis laws.
The European Union has a policy of leaving domestic drug laws up to its members' countries. As a result, they are free to change their cannabis laws without EU intervention.01
I recently went to meet Lee Harris who runs Alchemy on Portobello Road - London's Oldest Head Shop - which has been in operation for 45 years. Lee Harris has been a cannabis activist and campaigner for over half a century, starting in back in 1967. Lee also started Homegrown magazine back in 1977 which was the first dope magazine in Europe.
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Do You know about Barcelona Cannabis Clubs and how they operate?
Perception of cannabis worldwide is currently undergoing a massive shift. There are just too many good stories from across the globe to ignore and it is becoming increasingly difficult for media sources to try and push the old cannabis propaganda. Over the past week, we have seen (comparatively) positive cannabis features on both The Daily Mail and The Mirror asking whether legalisation may be the sensible way forward, and this shows just how much the media over here in the UK is beginning to shift.
As we continue our fight to legalise cannabis both for medicinal and recreational purposes in the UK, other countries are steaming ahead with the green industry. One country that has had a legal cannabis scene for a few years now is Spain, where cannabis social clubs are legally allowed to operate on a private member’s club basis.
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You have probably heard of feminised cannabis seeds - but do you know about their history and why they’re so popular?
Feminised cannabis seeds have become a firm favourite for collectors and growers throughout Europe in recent years. As genetically modified seeds, they have been cultivated to be stable and regular and are now recognised for their benefits against ‘normal’ seeds.
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Note: This guide should be considered outdated and is saved for archived purposes. (Last updated mid 2018)
Cannabis - The Law
The Government insist that they have no intention of changing the laws surrounding activities relating to cannabis and continue to reinforce their non-scientific, non-evidence based policy. Their official line is “cannabis is a very harmful, very dangerous drug that can cause huge mental health problems and addiction” along with “cannabis has no medicinal benefits in herbal form”. Their reason for classifying cannabis as a “controlled” substance they say, is to protect people from themselves.
Cannabis is a Class B Drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Although it is given the title of a “controlled drug” there is actually very little control that anyone has over it as the commercial market is predominantly run by organised crime and completely unregulated. There is no control over who produces it, who sells it, who it is sold to, or even that the quality of the product is safe to consume.