It is now possible to sign the referendum on the decriminalization of cannabis cultivation through the website referendumcannabis.it. The signature can only be made online via a digital signature, an innovative step that could accelerate the petition process to reach the required quorum.
Within a few hours, the response from citizens has been incredible: around 50,000 signatures were collected in the first 5 hours. The goal is to gather 550,000 signatures by September 30th, so time is limited to participate.
The Referendum’s Promoting Committee
The referendum is promoted by a committee made up of numerous associations dedicated to protecting the rights of cannabis patients and consumers, including Luca Coscioni, Meglio Legale, Forum Droghe, Antigone, Società della Ragione, along with political parties like +Europa, Sinistra Italiana, and Possibile. The initiative has gained wide support from activists, politicians, and citizens who recognize the need to update Italy’s cannabis legislation.
According to statistics, there are over 6 million cannabis users in Italy. Many of these are patients who need cannabis for therapeutic purposes but often face bureaucratic difficulties in accessing treatment. Additionally, the criminalization of personal cultivation forces many to turn to the illegal market, exposing them to unnecessary risks.
A Necessary Change
In recent years, Italy has made little progress in regulating cannabis. As Nicola Fratoianni from Sinistra Italiana pointed out: “Parliament has never had the courage to make a breakthrough in the fight against drug trafficking and to start the legalization of cannabis. Now, it’s up to the citizens to give the country a modern and effective law in this sense.”
With this referendum, the promoters aim to move beyond the old repressive paradigm and finally give people the right to grow cannabis for personal use without fear of legal consequences. It’s an important step towards a more fair and humane policy that seeks to take power away from organized crime and promote responsible cannabis use.
How to Sign
Participating in the referendum is simple. Just visit the website referendumcannabis.it and follow the instructions to digitally sign. This is a unique opportunity for those who want to contribute to changing Italy’s cannabis laws and support the right to grow cannabis for both therapeutic and recreational use.
Why Is Decriminalization Important?
Decriminalizing the cultivation of cannabis for personal use means reducing the power of organized crime and ensuring safe access to cannabis for those in need, especially for therapeutic purposes. Currently, many patients struggle to access cannabis-based medicines due to bureaucratic obstacles and limited supplies. With decriminalization, it would be possible to grow cannabis at home for personal use without breaking the law.
The referendum aims to make a significant step forward in managing cannabis in Italy, a topic that touches on health, safety, and social justice.
Further Reading
For more details, you can check out the following articles:
- Cannabis Referendum: Online Signature Collection – Il Fatto Quotidiano
- Cannabis, Petition for the Referendum – La Repubblica
Don’t miss the chance to make your voice heard. Sign now and be part of the change!
