The general discussion on the cultivation, sale and consumption of cannabis and its derivatives begins in the Chamber. The speaker, Mario Perantoni (M5S), president of the Montecitorio Justice Commission, intervenes on the text.
The numbers
“The beginning of the examination in the Chamber of the law decriminalizing the domestic cultivation of four cannabis plants marks a historic day for our country, anchored to old and unsuccessful anti-drug policies of a repressive nature”, began Perantoni. “Currently out of a prison population of 54,184 people, 18,884 are being detained for violating the drug law, of which 1/3 are drug addicts: enormous numbers that certify the failure of the repression. The law will make it possible to save 600 million a year in costs for unnecessary processes but above all it will make possible a vast therapeutic use and will take away space for drug dealing: an important goal achieved without harming public health in any way. Prohibiting the cultivation and personal use of a small amount of cannabis is out of history, the legacy of an old and outdated culture: we would have liked Walter Di Benedetto to be here to listen to us today, who fought so much, our affectionate thoughts to him and grateful, ”added Perantoni.
The bill aims to change the cannabis discipline. The text has undergone some changes during the process in committee. Supported by the center-left and the M5s, against the Lega provision, the FdI and Forza Italia have instead raised a wall: the battle moves to the Assembly. Among the innovations envisaged by the text, the legalization of the cultivation and possession, by adults and for personal use, of up to four female cannabis plants. In addition, the promotion, at the beginning of each school year, in first and second grade schools, of a national day on the damages deriving from alcoholism, smoking and the use of narcotic and psychotropic substances is foreseen. –
Growing for personal use – The cultivation and possession for personal use of no more than four female cannabis plants, suitable and aimed at the production of narcotic substance and the product obtained from them, are allowed to adults.
Small penalties and penalties – Some penalties are exacerbated in the articles and, at the same time, others are “weakened”. Unless the fact constitutes a more serious offense, whoever commits one of the facts provided for by the law which, “due to the means, manner or circumstances of the action or the quantity of substances, is minor”, is punished with imprisonment from 6 months to 4 years and a fine of up to 10,000 euros, when detention and trafficking involve hard drugs; imprisonment from 2 months to 2 years and a fine of up to € 2,000 when detention and trafficking involve soft drugs. – Abandonment of syringes – The abandonment, in a public place or place open to the public or in a private place of common use or of others’ use, of syringes or other dangerous tools used for the intake of narcotic or psychotropic substances, such as to put at risk the safety of others.
National day – The Ministry of Education must provide for the promotion, at the beginning of each school year, in first and second grade schools, of a national day on the harm deriving from alcoholism, smoking and the use of narcotic and psychotropic substances.