Finland: The Greens are ready to legalize cannabis

Somewhat unexpectedly, the party accepted the initiative to decriminalize the manufacture, use, possession and even sale of cannabis with 183 votes to 181. In addition, the personal registers are to be cleared of convictions for cannabis use. In a survey carried out by the Helsingin Sanomat newspaper last summer, 31% of those questioned were in favor of liberalizing cannabis use. At the same time, a citizens' initiative to decriminalize consumption has collected 60,000 signatures. However, the orientation of the Greens is likely to be too radical or at least premature, as all other major parties have quickly spoken out against liberalization. Support came almost exclusively from the youth organization of the liberal-conservative National Coalition Party. It remains to be seen whether the Greens have tripped themselves up. According to the Uutissuomalainen news agency, the party lost more members than it gained after the controversial vote. The current five-party government, in which the Greens hold two ministerial seats, did not mention drug policy in its program. But the issue is now high on the agenda and will pursue or favor the Greens in future elections. Among the EU Member States, Portugal, the Czech Republic and Estonia have decriminalized cannabis use.