{"id":214366,"date":"2025-09-11T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-11T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.growbarato.net\/blog\/?p=214366"},"modified":"2025-09-11T12:38:01","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T10:38:01","slug":"slovenia-and-poland-take-steps-toward-cannabis-legalization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/slovenia-and-poland-take-steps-toward-cannabis-legalization\/","title":{"rendered":"Slovenia and Poland take steps toward cannabis legalization"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Cannabis decriminalization across Europe is gaining momentum. The latest countries to join this shift are <strong>Slovenia and Poland<\/strong>, following in the footsteps of neighbors like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/germany-legalizes-cannabis-for-recreational-use\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Germany, which passed its cannabis law<\/a> in April 2024, as well as Malta and the Czech Republic. This progress may have significant economic and social impacts on consumers, as we\u2019ll explore below.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2085\" height=\"939\" src=\"https:\/\/www.growbarato.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/paises-europeos-legalizado-el-cannabis.jpg\" alt=\"European countries where cannabis is legal\" class=\"wp-image-214541\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/paises-europeos-legalizado-el-cannabis.jpg 2085w, https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/paises-europeos-legalizado-el-cannabis-300x135.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/paises-europeos-legalizado-el-cannabis-1024x461.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/paises-europeos-legalizado-el-cannabis-768x346.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/paises-europeos-legalizado-el-cannabis-1536x692.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/paises-europeos-legalizado-el-cannabis-2048x922.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/paises-europeos-legalizado-el-cannabis-1200x540.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/paises-europeos-legalizado-el-cannabis-1980x892.jpg 1980w, https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/paises-europeos-legalizado-el-cannabis-1320x594.jpg 1320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2085px) 100vw, 2085px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a5b878554d23\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Contenido<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a5b878554d23\"  \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/slovenia-and-poland-take-steps-toward-cannabis-legalization\/#Poland_and_cannabis\" >Poland and cannabis<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/slovenia-and-poland-take-steps-toward-cannabis-legalization\/#Drug_addiction_prevention_law\" >Drug addiction prevention law<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/slovenia-and-poland-take-steps-toward-cannabis-legalization\/#Proposed_changes_under_discussion\" >Proposed changes under discussion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/slovenia-and-poland-take-steps-toward-cannabis-legalization\/#What_would_this_new_regulation_mean\" >What would this new regulation mean?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/slovenia-and-poland-take-steps-toward-cannabis-legalization\/#Slovenia_the_most_progressive_medical_cannabis_law_in_Europe\" >Slovenia: the most progressive medical cannabis law in Europe<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/slovenia-and-poland-take-steps-toward-cannabis-legalization\/#Inside_Slovenias_new_cannabis_law\" >Inside Slovenia\u2019s new cannabis law<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/slovenia-and-poland-take-steps-toward-cannabis-legalization\/#A_major_legislative_breakthrough\" >A major legislative breakthrough<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Poland_and_cannabis\"><\/span><strong>Poland and cannabis<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This Central European country is undergoing a major political shift regarding its drug policy. To understand the scope of the change, it&#8217;s important to examine <strong>Poland\u2019s cannabis legislation to date<\/strong> and the potential impact this new approach could have on Polish citizens. The shift began back in 2017, when Polish doctors were first allowed to prescribe medical cannabis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Drug_addiction_prevention_law\"><\/span><strong>Drug addiction prevention law<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the current legal framework in Poland regarding cannabis, and it\u2019s known as one of the strictest in the EU. Article 62 of the law classifies possession of any quantity of narcotics as a criminal offense, <strong>punishable by up to 3 years in prison<\/strong>. However, for minor amounts intended for personal use, the case may be dismissed at the discretion of the judge and prosecutor. The financial burden of enforcing this law is significant, costing the government over 80 million zlotys annually\u2014around 18 million euros.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s why, <strong>this past July<\/strong>, a cross-party coalition in the Polish parliament proposed removing cannabis possession for personal use from criminal prosecution and reclassifying it as an administrative issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The draft law was introduced by <strong>Klaudia Jachira from the Civic Coalition (KO) and Ryszard Petru from Poland 2050<\/strong>. While internal debate continues, the fact that this proposal comes from the ruling coalition makes its approval highly likely.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.growbarato.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/polonia-cannabis.jpg\" alt=\"Poland and cannabis\" class=\"wp-image-214220\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/polonia-cannabis.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/polonia-cannabis-300x135.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/polonia-cannabis-768x346.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Proposed_changes_under_discussion\"><\/span><strong>Proposed changes under discussion<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The main point of discussion is the amount of cannabis that would be allowed for personal possession. The key proposals are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>most progressive proposal<\/strong>, supported by the parliamentary team, would allow individuals to possess up to <strong>15 grams of dried flower<\/strong> and grow one cannabis plant per adult at home using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/224-marijuana-seeds\">cannabis seeds<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>More <strong>moderate coalition members<\/strong>, such as the Polish People&#8217;s Party, are proposing lower limits of <strong>3 to 5 grams<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This negotiation has <strong>one clear goal<\/strong>: to reach a consensus strong enough to withstand opposition attacks. The outcome of these internal discussions will be crucial to the law\u2019s success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_would_this_new_regulation_mean\"><\/span><strong>What would this new regulation mean?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The issue has entered the public discourse in Poland. Recent polls show that <strong>over 70% of Polish citizens<\/strong> oppose prison sentences for possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use. Decriminalization would also benefit medical cannabis patients, who could grow their own plants and reduce treatment costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although medical cannabis was legalized in 2017, patients still face bureaucratic and financial hurdles. Many doctors are reluctant to prescribe it, and prices can be as high as <strong>\u20ac15 per gram<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Slovenia_the_most_progressive_medical_cannabis_law_in_Europe\"><\/span><strong>Slovenia: the most progressive medical cannabis law in Europe<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In July 2025, the <strong>Slovenian National Assembly passed a landmark bill<\/strong> to regulate cannabis for medical and scientific purposes. This ambitious legislation could set a new standard in the European Union by not only <strong>legalizing patient access<\/strong> but also establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework\u2014from cultivation to pharmaceutical distribution\u2014alongside quality control and export systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Inside_Slovenias_new_cannabis_law\"><\/span><strong>Inside Slovenia\u2019s new cannabis law<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The law legalizes the cultivation, production, and use of <strong>Cannabis sativa L.<\/strong> for medical or scientific purposes, with strict regulatory oversight. Key highlights include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Open and competitive licensing system<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The goal is to ensure stable, affordable, and accessible medical cannabis supply, while reducing black market activity. Key features include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The law <strong>explicitly rejects state monopoly<\/strong> in favor of a competitive, non-restrictive licensing system.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Open licensing model:<\/strong> Any individual or private\/public company can apply for a license to cultivate, process, or distribute cannabis, provided they meet set requirements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This model addresses shortcomings in other European countries, like <strong>the Netherlands and Italy<\/strong>, where product shortages, high prices, or lack of diversity have fueled illegal markets and frustrated patients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Fostering competition and innovation<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>The law aims to <strong>fast-track market development<\/strong> and encourage innovation by allowing new players to enter and reducing reliance on imports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ultimately, the goal is to <strong>ensure a stable, high-quality supply<\/strong> of medical cannabis by leveraging market forces as a public health policy tool.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.growbarato.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/eslovenia-legalizacion-cannabis.jpg\" alt=\"Slovenia cannabis legalization\" class=\"wp-image-214196\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/eslovenia-legalizacion-cannabis.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/eslovenia-legalizacion-cannabis-300x135.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/eslovenia-legalizacion-cannabis-768x346.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Strict quality control and oversight<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>All medical cannabis must be grown indoors under controlled conditions, meeting GACP and GMP standards aligned with the European Pharmacopoeia. Oversight will be handled by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>JAZMP (Medicines Agency):<\/strong> Responsible for quality and technical regulation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ministry of Health:<\/strong> In charge of the legal framework.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ):<\/strong> Will provide prescription data to create a yearly strategic plan that aligns supply with real-world demand.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This predictive model is one of the most advanced aspects of the Slovenian framework, aimed at ensuring long-term market stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Medical cannabis by prescription<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Perhaps the most significant change is the shift in clinical empowerment. The new law allows doctors to <strong>prescribe cannabis<\/strong> for any condition they deem appropriate\u2014not just for a pre-approved list of ailments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Patients will also receive a \u201c<strong>cannabis card<\/strong>\u201d to present at pharmacies as legal proof of possession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_major_legislative_breakthrough\"><\/span><strong>A major legislative breakthrough<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This legal overhaul represents a significant step forward compared to the previous regulatory environment. Here&#8217;s a breakdown of the major differences:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>Both <strong>Slovenia and Poland are moving toward cannabis legalization<\/strong> and decriminalization. While there\u2019s still work to be done\u2014especially in Poland\u2014these reforms signal a broader shift in European cannabis policy.<\/p>\n<div style='text-align:center' class='yasr-auto-insert-visitor'><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cannabis decriminalization across Europe is gaining momentum. The latest countries to join this shift are Slovenia and Poland, following in the footsteps of neighbors like Germany, which passed its cannabis law in April 2024, as well as Malta and the Czech Republic. This progress may have significant economic and social impacts on consumers, as we\u2019ll\u2026 <span class=\"leermas\" onclick=\"window.location.href='https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/slovenia-and-poland-take-steps-toward-cannabis-legalization\/'\">Continue reading<\/span ><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":214209,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","yasr_overall_rating":0,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[256],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-214366","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-marijuana-news"],"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":false,"span_bottom":false},"number_of_votes":8,"sum_votes":37},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/214366","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=214366"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/214366\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":214548,"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/214366\/revisions\/214548"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/214209"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=214366"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=214366"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gbthegreenbrand.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=214366"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}