Europe

France:  Following president Emmanuel Macron’s loss of a majority in the National Assembly, with the left-wing alliance led by Jean-Luc Mélenchon taking 131 seats and Marine Le Pen’s far-right Rassemblement National 89 seats, against the 245 held by Macron’s Ensemble! coalition, it will be difficult for the re-elected president to pursue his agenda – which included no proposed change in policy on cannabis. During his unsuccessful presidential campaign, Mélenchon proposed legalising the use of recreational cannabis, and its production and sale under a state monopoly.

Spain: The ruling Socialist Party is expected to introduce a bill to legalise medical cannabis after a report issued today by the Parliamentary Subcommittee on Medical Cannabis approved proposed regulation, with only the centre-right People’s Party and the right-wing VOX opposed, press reports. The report, which will be subject to a vote by the Heath Committee on 30th June, says medical cannabis products should be dispensed in all pharmacies, not only those in hospitals, as the Socialist Party initially proposed.

EU: The consultation period for the EU chemicals strategy for sustainability – revision of the Cosmetic Products Regulation ends today. Although it does not specifically address CBD or hemp-derived products, the revised strategy will affect all companies in the cosmetics industry. In addition to changing the way product label information is provided, the initiative seeks to establish a general approach to risk management that ensures cosmetics do not contain chemicals that “cause cancers, gene mutations, affect the reproductive or the endocrine system, or are persistent and bioaccumulation”. This may suggest an extension of CMR (carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic) restrictions with new criteria and hazard classes.

Malta: Malta’s first cannabis associations, which will grow cannabis and distribute it to their members, could open by the end of the year, press reports. Reforms minister Rebecca Buttigieg said the government was working to ensure authorities have the necessary resources in place. The establishment of cannabis clubs is envisaged in the Authority on the Responsible Use of Cannabis Act, which was approved in December 2021.

Netherlands: An amendment clarifying requirements for coffee shop owners and experimental cannabis growers has come into effect after being published last week in the Government Gazette. The changes concern the amount of unsealed cannabis that can be seen and smelled by a coffee shop customer before a purchase is made.

Netherlands: The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) is currently investigating whether the classification of drugs under the Opium Act is still appropriate, media reports. The study is expected to be completed by the end of 2022. However, it is not yet clear how re-classification might affect cannabis policy.

Luxembourg: The government has released the draft bill to legalise home cultivation and consumption of cannabis that is now under consideration by the Chamber of Deputies. The bill allows for adult (18+) cultivation of up to four cannabis plants per household for personal use and consumption within the home. Plants may be grown indoors or outdoors but cannot be within public view.

UK: There was conflicting evidence from the police given to yesterday’s meeting of the Home Affairs Committee on policing of drugs. David Sidwick, police and crime commissioner for Dorset, said decriminalising cannabis would worsen the current situation. However, Thames Valley chief constable John Campbell said such a move would free up resources for other police work.

EU: Tomorrow, 17th June, is the last day to register for an information session to be held by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on 28th June about the next steps to be taken on the safety of CBD as a novel food after the assessment process was paused awaiting additional data. The session will mainly seek to provide “guidance to applicants on how they can address the data gaps identified, which mainly concern the potential effects of CBD on drug metabolism, liver, gastrointestinal tract, hormone responses, the nervous system, and reproduction”.