CULTURE
Italy to legalise . it ?
More than 500,000 Italians – half under 25 – signed a petition to decriminalise cannabis . If a referendum expected next year passes , the plant would essentially be legalised .
Words : Gordon Stribling
Italy will likely vote on a referendum to decriminalise cannabis next year after campaign groups gathered more than 500,000 signatures in one week .
The proposal met the vote threshold thanks in part to a new law which allows petitions to be signed digitally and not just in-person . The proposal will now be sent to the constitutional court for review . Campaigners on the ReferendumCannabis . it
Facebook page wrote : “ More than 500,000 online signatures in just a week for the # ReferendumCannabis .” We celebrate them by thanking you one by one , because this is a first and not just in Italy .”
Personal recreational use of cannabis is already legal in Italy . However , sales , purchase and cultivation for allbut-personal use are illegal . Dealers can currently face up to
128