Voters will be called to the polls for the European elections on June 9th Slovenia they will also have to express their opinion on three referendums. On legalization of cannabis, assisted dying and the introduction of voting preferences in general elections.
How reported by The Slovenia Times, it was the Slovenian Freedom Movement: the largest party in the current governing coalition, pushing for consultative referendums.
Which will be voted on although the (unsuccessful) attempt by the opposition, led by the Social Democrats (SD) and New Slovenia (N.SI), to postpone them at the end of November.
The referendum on cannabis in Slovenia
"The referendum question on cannabis has been modified several times throughout the parliamentary process," he confirmed The Slovenia Times. "From the initial proposal to seek consent on the cultivation, processing, sale and use of cannabis for therapeutic purposes, to two separate questions".
The first "which asks for the opinion of voters on the cultivation and processing of cannabis for medical purposes - and the second - on cultivation and possession of cannabis for personal use limited".
It should be specified, however, that consultative referendums they are not legally binding. And their approval does not ensure that the government will adopt them.
However, they would clarify for all intents and purposes the will of the people in this regard, almost forcing legislators to move in this direction.
According to an analysis by Marihuana Marš, Študentska Organizacija Univerze v Ljubljani and published in November 2023 in fact, in Slovenia there are more 200 thousand consumers of cannabis.
Europe: countries that are moving towards legalization
The referendum on cannabis in Slovenia is just another step in Europe towards a new model of politics, less restrictive and prohibitionist.
Among all, the one stands out Germany, third largest economy in the world, where the full legalization of cannabis it is a priority for the government.
In Switzerland instead, where several experimental legalization projects are already underway, one has just been launched campaign for cannabis regulation at 360°. That gives the definitive go-ahead to market recreational.
And so for many other states: Malta, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, which, unlike Italy, are moving in this direction. We hope that a breath of fresh air will also arrive in our country.
* Photo by Luka E on Unsplash
