Present time – Is Romania ready for the legalization of cannabis consumption? | PODCAST | Produced by Radio Romania

Germany has legalized recreational marijuana use. Starting this month, it is legal to possess up to 25 grams of marijuana for personal use or to grow up to three cannabis plants. Thus, Germany becomes the third country in the European Union to legalize the consumption of cannabis, after Malta and Luxembourg.

Does the legalization of consumption undermine the power of traffickers? What are the differences between recreational cannabis use and medical cannabis use?

I asked them Alexandra Cârsteathe founder of the “Victoria mea” association, through which she campaigns for the legalization of medicinal cannabis, and the doctor Military Costinspecialized in programs to reduce the risks associated with drug use, co-author of the study “Public anti-drug policies in Romania”.

Military Costin: “Through legalization, we have access to qualitatively controlled substances. They can also be controlled from a quantitative point of view. And, as a substance user, when you have a medical problem, you can access a medical, psychological or social service without the stigma of drugged. At the moment, as a substance addict, when you access, for example, the emergency service, 112, in case of overdose, in most situations, the ambulance comes with the police or the police arrive first. (…) Portugal decriminalized the use of substances in general, not just cannabis, and in 30 years it has been observed that crime has decreased, the pathologies associated with drug use have decreased and the number of users has decreased.”

Alexandra Cârstea campaigns for the legalization of medicinal cannabis, he also collaborated in the drafting of a draft law in this regard, the Victoria Law.

Alexandra Cârstea: “More than 80% of Romanians are in favor of legalizing cannabis for medical purposes. Romanians are prepared, patients are not only prepared but often very educated about the alternatives they have when it comes to their health and the scientific community should listen to their patients and subsequently join hands with them and to present the arguments in this sense before the legislators. (…) We managed to coagulate in the first Romanian federation of medicinal cannabis and industrial hemp. We will make the official release shortly. Our actions from now on will be focused and united.”

April 3, 2024, 6 p.m

Producers: Adela Greceanu and Matei Martin