Poland Ministry Of Health Supports Decriminalizing Possession Of 25 Grams Of Cannabis, Cultivation Of 3 Plants

The Ministry of Health recently expressed support for the decriminalization of cannabis, writes Newsweed, according to translation.

Even though 73.4% of Poles support the decriminalization of cannabis, as per the recent survey by the Polish Public Opinion Research Center (CBOS), recreational cannabis use remains illegal. Marijuana legalization has been discussed for a few years and there are several measures proposing reform under review.

The Wolne Konopie Association has been one of the key players in pushing for cannabis legalization in Poland for many years. In June, when the Ministry of Health stated it would support the bill decriminalizing the possession of 25 grams of marijuana and the cultivation of four plants, Jakub Gajewski, vice president of the association, said "this is a step in the right direction, but there's still a long way to go."

In July, the reform gained the support of the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Michal Kołodziejczak, but activists soon realized that there are still many challenges ahead. More specifically, it is expected that President Andrzej Duda would veto the bill.

“At the moment, it is not advisable to submit the bill because Andrzej Duda will veto it," Gajewski said. "However, we see chances for decriminalization in the second half of the term, provided that Poles elect a president who is not associated with Law and Justice. In this regard, we need to meet with Rafal Trzaskowski, a potential presidential candidate, to discuss possible pardons for penalties. In August, the Ministry of Health agreed to decriminalize the possession of 25 grams of cannabis and the cultivation of three cannabis plants, which is good news for us and reflects a political will for change."

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Wolne Konopie Association is not the only group fighting for new laws on cannabis. Freedom Farms, one of the leading Polish hemp companies, specializing in the cultivation and production of high-quality aromatic CBD and CBG flowers is another organization pushing for the reform. Przemysław Zawadzki, the owner and hemp activist, in April submitted a bill aiming to decriminalize the cultivation of one plant and the possession of 15 grams of marijuana.

“Many of you said that the bill I submitted […] allowed for too small an amount,” said Zawadzki. “And while I think it would be a major success for the current parliament to pass such a bill, it is the minimum and not the only option.”

According to Zawadzki, President Duda is not the only one who stands in the way of change.

“Is Mr. Duda the problem?” Zawadzki says. “For me, however, the bigger problem remains the conservative parliament. Unfortunately, it is possible that we will have to wait more than nine months.”

It is possible that the 2025 presidential election could help with the reform, as many activists including representatives of Wolne Konopie hope that potential presidential candidate Rafal Trzaskowskiwill back the proposals.

Since this question is not just a matter of politics, it is important that there is a growing support for cannabis decriminalization among Poles. This should come as no surprise as the medical marijuana market in the country is currently booming, and the neighboring Germany has relaxed its cannabis laws this year.

"We want to meet with NGOs in September to create an even broader pressure coalition," said Gajewski.

Read Also: Canopy Growth Withdraws Medical Marijuana Strain Penelope In Poland, Citing Aging Genetics, Quality Concerns

Polish Hemp Varieties Stand Out

Meanwhile, Polish hemp varieties performed well in fiber hemp trials, according to a recent study by Oregon State University, writes Hemp Today. More specifically, two top varieties Henola (predominantly grain variety ) and Białobrzeskie (fiber type) had the greatest bast fiber content compared to one Chinese and two American cultivars.

"These varieties showed good adaptability and can be considered for local adaptation and cultivation," reads the paper.

Bast fibers, extracted from the outer layer of the hemp stalk, are often considered the most valuable part of the hemp stalk. They are highly valued for their flexibility and resistance to degradation, which makes them suitable and sustainable raw material for various end products, such as textiles, paper, insulation, and biocomposites.

Just recently, the second largest auto maker in the world by vehicle sales Volkswagen VWAGY announced it has partnered with the German start-up Revoltech GmbH to research and develop sustainable materials based on industrial hemp. These could be used as sustainable surface materials in Volkswagen models from 2028.

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