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Legalise It, EP! Cyrus Engerer Launches Pioneering EU-Wide Push To Allow Personal Use Of Cannabis

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A Maltese MEP is part of a pioneering cross-party group aimed at seeing the legalisation of the personal use of cannabis across EU Member States.

In an open letter to the 705 Members of the European Parliament encouraging MEPs to join the informal group, MEPs Cyrus Engerer (Malta, SD), Monica Semedo (Luxembourg, Renew), Mikuláš Peksa (Czech Republic, Greens), Dorian Rookmaker (The Netherlands, ECR) and Luke “Ming” Flanagan (Ireland, The Left) welcome the recent developments on cannabis legalisation in Germany, Malta and Luxembourg and call for more information sharing between Member States on the topic.

“As members of the European Parliament, we feel that it is our duty to bring to light issues relating to the infringement of personal freedoms of EU citizens. We feel that as parliamentarians, we must be candid  and not be afraid to touch upon topics that might be considered to be taboo for some, due to misconceptions and misinformation. One such topic is the personal use of cannabis,” the five said.

The MEPs are calling for an EU wide fact-based discussion on personal cannabis, which has been seen as a taboo topic for a long time due to misconceptions and misinformation.

“Due to outdated and unpredictable patchwork of legislation, citizens across the EU are often finding themselves being forced to turn to the black market or even worse, imprisoned for being in possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use,” state the MEPs. “This does not reflect the level of freedom we have come to expect from living in Europe.”

Malta’s Engerer said “No one should go to jail over a joint, but unfortunately many citizens across the European Union still find themselves locked up just for possessing small quantities of cannabis.”

Cyrus Engerer

Cyrus Engerer

“While countries like Malta are taking the brave step to look towards legalisation policies which combat black market supply while providing citizens their personal freedom, others are lagging far behind,” he continued.

“The patchwork of policies across the EU, and the emergence of other countries warming up to the idea of legalising cannabis is sure to create a lot of discussion in terms of European, Schengen and single-market law. This is why we need to start the conversation”.

In a similar vein, Renew MEP Monica Semedo (Luxembourg) said: “Prohibition doesn’t work, it only makes consuming cannabis less safe. With legalisation consumers can receive reliable information and have access to products whose quality is controlled without being in contact with criminals. Legalisation of cannabis in a number of member states is sure to have cross-border effects. With this group we can discuss a coherent approach to legalisation at the EU level.”

“However” state the MEPs, “we cannot deny that with new legislation coming forward within EU Member States, we are likely to find ourselves facing repercussions at an EU level,” referring to the recent developments across the EU and beyond.

“As MEPs, we want to build on this momentum and create a cross-party interest group within the European Parliament, where we will share best practices, talk to experts, organise hearings and conferences, as well as debate the situation of personal use of cannabis within the Union.”

The MEPs are calling for an EU wide fact-based discussion on personal cannabis, which has been seen as a taboo topic for a long time due to misconceptions and misinformation. 

“The current set of legal rules restricting personal use of cannabis in most EU Member States goes very much against the principles of freedom of movement and personal freedom.” said Czech MEP Mikuláš Peksa from the Greens, concluding the announcement of the establishment of the group.

“We should look at Germany, Luxembourg, Malta, and other countries who are already taking steps towards legalisation of personal use of cannabis, and advocate for sharing of best practices at the EU level. I hope this cross-party group will help shed some light on the deeply flawed regulatory patchwork we currently have, which is sending young people to jail for a victimless “crime”, he concluded.

Malta recently regulated the personal use of cannabis on the island, allowing people to carry up to seven grams on their person and grow four plants at home.

This article is part of a content series called Ewropej. This is a multi-newsroom initiative part-funded by the European Parliament to bring the work of the EP closer to the citizens of Malta and keep them informed about matters that affect their daily lives. This article reflects only the author’s view. The European Parliament is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

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Johnathan is an award-winning Maltese journalist interested in social justice, politics, minority issues, music and food. Follow him at @supreofficialmt on Instagram, and send him news, food and music stories at [email protected]

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