Legal & Politics

The legal and political status of cannabis worldwide changes constantly. Check the situation in many countries with our ‘Cannabis In…’ series (we regularly add more countries), and stay up to date on the latest legislation and policies affecting cannabis and hemp.

Recent articles in Legal & Politics

Legal & Politics

Cannabis in Russia – Laws, Use, and History

Sensi Seeds / 20 Jan 2020

It’s illegal to possess, sell or grow cannabis in Russia. The country has the highest number of people incarcerated for drug offences in Europe (per capita), and most were imprisoned under the notorious Article 228. However, there are hints that the law may change – with the country exploring the option of importing cannabis for medical research.

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Legal & Politics

Cannabis in Namibia – Laws, Use, and History

Sensi Seeds / 20 Jan 2020

In 2006, Namibia’s government made changes to their cannabis laws. Now, prison sentences of up to 40 years are in place for offences, though in practice, these are seldom used for cannabis-related crimes. Despite the risk of imprisonment, the drug is still commonly used across the country, and trafficking along the borders is a serious issue.

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Legal & Politics

Cannabis in Japan – Laws, Use, and History

Sensi Seeds / 19 Jan 2020

Prior to 1948, cannabis was widely cultivated in Japan. It was valued for its practical uses in making textiles and rope, for example, and as an integral part of religious and spiritual practices. With the introduction of the Cannabis Control Law by US officials its use, sale and growth became banned in the country. Now cannabis use is deeply frowned upon.

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Legal & Politics

Cannabis in Tajikistan – Laws, Use, and History

Sensi Seeds / 19 Jan 2020

Tajikistan lies across one of the largest drug smuggling routes in the world, as it shares a border with Afghanistan. It also has a hashish industry of its own. However, cannabis is illegal in the country, and with the death penalty in place for serious drugs-related crimes (such as large-scale smuggling), it’s a risky business to be in.

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Legal & Politics

Cannabis in Florida – Laws, Use, and History

Sensi Seeds / 14 Jan 2020

Medicinal cannabis is legal in Florida, but recreational cannabis, at present, is not. Various representatives have attempted to pass bills to make cannabis use legal, but so far, they have been met with opposition. As such, the penalties for possessing or selling the drug remain severe, with prison sentences in place for even minor offences.

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Legal & Politics

Cannabis in Uzbekistan – Laws, Use, and History

Sensi Seeds / 13 Jan 2020

Uzbekistan’s cannabis laws are among the strictest in Central Asia. Even using cannabis can be punished with a three-year prison sentence. The country also has issues with drug trafficking, as smugglers pass through the porous border from Afghanistan. The underfunded counter-narcotics department struggles to keep the problem under control.

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Legal & Politics

How to Start a Hemp Business in the UK

Sensi Seeds / 06 Dec 2019

It is legal to cultivate hemp in the UK, subject to certain conditions and fees. Unfortunately, the requirements set out by the UK government render it near to impossible for a hobby gardener to grow a few plants in the back garden. Hemp cultivation licenses are reserved for those with commercial interests and ventures in mind.

Legal & Politics

WHO Recommends Cannabis Reclassification: What Does it Mean for THC and CBD?

Sensi Seeds / 06 Dec 2019

The WHO has released the results of the 2018 report evaluating the medicinal value of cannabis. It was the first evaluation of medicinal cannabis by the WHO in more than 80 years. The UN has received the conclusions recommending the reclassification of CBD in the Schedule of Controlled Substances, as well as a critical review of the scientific literature on the plant.

Photo of hundred-dollar bills rolled up and planted in the ground. In the background, out of focus, there is a green field.

Legal & Politics

The Globalization of Cannabis

Sensi Seeds / 08 Aug 2018

The global cannabis export market is dominated by a handful of Canadian, Dutch and British companies. Over 90% of all legal cannabis sales today take place in the USA. Will the world’s traditional cannabis-producing countries get an opportunity to compete in this arena?

Photo of a woman holding a tablet in her hands. On the screen, you can see a padlock and a cannabis leaf.

Legal & Politics

The Cannabis Blockchain: new momentum for a decrepit drugs policy?

Sensi Seeds / 27 Jul 2018

Blockchain will be the Next Big Thing. The technology behind the Bitcoin cryptocurrency is still in its infancy, like the start of the Internet in the early 1990s, but it has huge potential. Blockchain is also opening up new horizons for the Dutch cannabis industry.

The photo shows the cannabis activist Patty Amiguet. She is holding a few sheets of paper in her hand and appears to be reading aloud from them. Patty is wearing glasses and has a scarf tied round her head. On the wall behind her are old sepia photographs in frames.

Legal & Politics

Patty Amiguet on Women, Cannabis and REMA – The State Network of Anti Prohibitionist Women

Sensi Seeds / 15 Jun 2018

REMA’s representative, Patty Amiguet, talks about the situation of women who use cannabis and other drugs in Spain, and how they are getting organized to change things.

Hans Kamperman, fighting for the legalisation of cannabis - Sensi Seeds Blog

Legal & Politics

Hans Kamperman’s lonely battle

Sensi Seeds / 30 Mar 2018

Hans Kamperman is fighting for the decriminalisation of cannabis. Since the beginning of 2018, he has been camping out in front of the parliament building in The Hague. The sad peak of his campaign was a failed suicide attempt.

Legal & Politics

Why the conspiracy theories about cannabis are nonsense

Sensi Seeds / 26 Jan 2018

The rumours about hidden forces of darkness lurking behind the worldwide ban on cannabis just refuse to die. There is no proof at all of any worldwide cannabis conspiracy. The driving force behind the ban is latent European and North American racism, not economic interests as maintained, for example, by the cannabis activist Jack Herer.