14 Jan Luxembourg and New Zealand to Legalize Cannabis Adult Use?

The rapidly emerging global market for medical and, potentially, adult use of cannabis is not typically focused on by the US media. Over 30 countries already have legalized medical cannabis. Canada and Uruguay have legalized adult use. Mexico intends to do so within the next year following a mandate from its Supreme Court. And it now appears that Luxembourg and New Zealand may be next to permit adults to legally grow, purchase and consume cannabis.

As to weed-related travel, Uruguay actually prohibits foreign visitors from purchasing legal cannabis. They wanted to discourage so-called cannatourism. Luxembourg officials apparently are planning something similar as well. But it would be the first EU country to legalize adult use, and they are encouraging their neighbors to do the same. Their health minister, Etienne Schneider, has said, “This drug policy we had over the last 50 years did not work. Forbidding everything made it just more interesting to young people … I’m hoping all of us will get a more open-minded attitude toward drugs.”

New Zealand voters will face a non-binding legalization referendum this year, though its passage is not certain according to polls. This would represent the first Asia Pacific country to fully legalize. Prime Minister Helen Clark has said, “The time has come for New Zealand to face up to the widespread use and supply of cannabis in the country and to legalize it and regulate it accordingly. No useful purpose is served by maintaining its illegal status.”

We will monitor these exciting developments for this rapidly growing global industry.