At a time when parliamentary elections have redefined Belgium's political landscape, it's vital to look at innovative ideas for moving legislation forward, particularly where cannabis is concerned.
Current state of the debate
The legalization of cannabis is a long-standing and complex debate in Belgium. An October 2023 poll shows that 35% of Belgians support legalization. However, there is a notable divide between the French-speaking parties, who are mostly open to the idea, and the parties in the north of the country, who are more reticent.
Senate report on drugs
In April 2024, the Senate published a report evaluating drug policies, particularly cannabis, highlighting major problems such as:
over 50% of the prison population are incarcerated for drug-related offences. 70% of drug-related offences involve cannabis. 1 billion euros a year is the amount currently spent by the state to combat drug-related crime, 90% of which is devoted solely to the fight against cannabis.
Associated risks, Legalities and political opinions
The WHO recognizes the therapeutic effects of CBD and does not attribute any major risks to it. However, when mixed with tobacco and smoked, the risks associated with smoking remain. Cannabis remains illegal in Belgium, but a European directive allows the cultivation and sale of industrial hemp with less than 0.2% THC. Since 2019, smoking cannabis with less than 0.2% THC is considered "other smoking tobacco" and subject to the same legislation. However, without laboratory analysis, it is difficult to distinguish this cannabis from illegal cannabis, which can lead to legal complications.
The question "Should cannabis be legalized in Belgium?", launched in May 2024, is supported by the majority of Belgian political parties (Défi, Ecolo, PS, Les Engagés, PTB), who are proposing an approach based on public health rather than repression.
they advocate a public health policy to accompany decriminalization. However, the liberal parties (MR) are opposed to the idea, questioning why cannabis should be favored over other drugs, and feel that such a signal to the public is inappropriate.
Sources : Elections 2024 - Cannabis, abortion, wearing the veil: what are the parties proposing on major social issues?, Cannabis: allowed or forbidden?
