Marijuana Legalization In The Spotlight: Germany And Australia Push For Change, Nigeria Says No Again

Germany Presses On With Marijuana Reform

Germany is moving forward with a newly modified plan for cannabis legalization that seeks to protect the public health and safety of young people.

According to Marijuana Moment, the two-part cannabis legalization plan would allow limited sales in certain areas for a four-year period, as well as permit Germans to grow their own cannabis for personal use without EU approval.

The plan is designed to legalize cannabis broadly while adhering to EU rules. If successful, it could be extended to other parts of Germany. Additionally, non-commercial growers could distribute marijuana among themselves through cannabis clubs, as first reported by Zeit.

In the meantime, medical cannabis imports to Germany reached a record high in 2022, according to data from the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM). However, experts suggest that some of the imported cannabis may not have reached patients due to quality issues or being exported to other countries, reported MjBizDaily.

Australian Lawmakers Push For Changes To Medicinal Cannabis And Driving

A parliamentary committee in Western Australia recommended 16 suggestions to remove obstacles to accessing medicinal cannabis, including doubling the amount of cannabis doctors are allowed to prescribe and change drug-driving laws to allow people with a prescription to drive a car while the drug is in their system.

Brian Walker, the Legalize Cannabis Party member said the change was long overdue and urged Premier Mark McGowan to take action. Walker added that many people would benefit from medicinal cannabis but are currently unable to access it, reported ABC News.

"If WA put all our recommendations into law then we would probably be the most sensible and advanced state in Australia." 

Nigeria's Lawmakers Refuse To Legalize Marijuana

The International Society of Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Professionals, ISSUP Nigeria Chapter praised the House of Representatives for withdrawing a bill that would have legalized cannabis in Nigeria, calling it a positive development for public health.

According to the Vanguard, the president of ISSUP, Dr. Martin Agwogie, called on the upper house to also reject the consolidated bill seeking to amend the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency to permit the cultivation of cannabis for recreational and medical purposes.

Agwogie stressed that Nigeria is facing a drug crisis and that cannabis legalization should not be considered at this time. He urged the government to focus on substance use prevention, treatment and research instead.

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Image Credits: Andrei Minsk and Marti Bug Catcher on Shutterstock Edited By Benzinga