Luxembourg will be the first European country to legalize cannabis

The Minister of Health of Luxembourg confirmed his plans to become the first European country to legalize the production and consumption of cannabis.

“This drug policy we had over the last 50 years did not work,” Etienne Schneider told Politico. “Forbidding everything made it just more interesting to young people … I’m hoping all of us will get a more open-minded attitude toward drugs.

Residents over 18 years of age are expected to be able to purchase a licit recreational drug within the next two years. The state will regulate production and distribution through a cannabis agency.

The legislative draft will be presented towards the end of the year and will provide additional information on the types of cannabis to be sold and the level of tax.

Schneider said that the legislation would likely include a ban on the purchase of cannabis by non-residents of the country. Home cultivation is also likely to be banned.