ATHENS: Greek lawmakers have received a draft bill setting regulations for the production of medical marijuana to end reliance on importing the drug, Associated Press reports from Athens.
The legislation was prepared jointly by officials at Greece’s Health, Economy, Agriculture and Justice ministries and require producers must be at least 21 years old and have no drug-related convictions and have at least an acre of land to cultivate.
Government officials say the bill will boost domestic production and attract foreign investors. “The purpose is to promote productive investments in this field and to benefit the economy and state,” noted Health Minister Andreas Xanthos, while Agriculture Development Minister Vangelis Apostolou noted that there is already “huge interest” in investing in the field. Medical use of cannabis was legalized in Greece last year as the ruling Radical Left SYRIZA, looking for cash everywhere to offset a nearly eight-year-long economic and austerity crisis, accelerated the scheme. Pot is still unlawful for recreational use, but if possession of a small amount is found to be for personal use, it is decriminalized in court.
