Cannabis Production Could Surpass Foreign Imports in Iceland’s Capital
According to RÚV, cannabis production in Reykjavík, Iceland could soon outpace foreign imports. Cannabis is wholly illegal in Iceland, but it hasn’t appeared to slow down cannabis cultivation and production.
A cultivator, who remains anonymous, entered into the cannabis industry after his relative was diagnosed with cancer nearly a decade ago. “I’m cultivating cannabis despite being in a decent job and a position in society,” the man told RÚV. “Virtually within my [field], I am still pursuing what is defined as a crime.”
The cultivator explained that they simply refer to cannabis as tomatoes when buying fertilizers and supplies. “There’s nothing really complicated to go to YouTube and watch some videos, find out that there are a few shops in Reykjavik that are selling everything you need for it. Because of that, there is no difference to the success of tomato plants and cannabis. And this is often spoken of as the same herb,” the man added.
Cultivators currently risk large fines and jail time for possessing cannabis. Any person caught in possession of up to one gram of cannabis in Iceland can expect to pay 35,000 Icelandic Króna ($347.90) for the first offense. Amounts of over 0.5 kg will result in three months in jail.
Announced Sept. 20, 2017, a bill to legalize recreational cannabis for adults over the age of 20 was proposed by Pawel Bartozek, MP for Iceland’s Reform Party. It would include retail shops and a tax similar to Iceland’s alcohol tax.
On Dec. 16, 2017, MP’s from Iceland’s Pirate Party proposed legislation to the Minister of Health to allow for the consumption and production of cannabis as hemp oil for medicinal purposes.
Not everyone, however, supports cannabis in Iceland. SÁÁ, the National Centre of Addiction Medicine in Iceland, released data warning that about 700 people a year are admitted to the center for battling cannabis “addiction.”
It would seem that Iceland is on the verge of changing its old ways and embracing the lucrative potential that is legalized medical and recreational cannabis.
