Italy’s 5-Star Party Proposal Makes Nudge Towards Italian Cannabis Reform

Italy’s one-time famous political stand-up comedian turned politician Peppe Grillo caught many by surprise when his 5-Star Movement tied for 2nd place in the elections held over a year ago for prime-minister and parliamentary positioning. Since then, the progressive party has been a throne in the side of the status quo as they have taken a refreshingly new stance on every issue to come down the Italian political pipe-line, and most recently, they have taken their own cannabis friendly proposal into the parliamentary fray to go against the current stingy Renzi Democratic Party regime.

The new proposal is so over-the-top compared to Italy’s current cannabis policies that the group clearly states on their website, “We know it would be impossible for parliament to approve these measures outright, but we hope to find some middle ground where all parties can meet.” So just what kind of radical marijuana reform would the 5-Star Movement bring into action if they could. For starters, anyone could carry up to 5 grams on their person, and have up to 15 grams at their home. Of course these numbers would be expanded for people who had a medical cannabis license. But the best part is the fact that anyone who informs their local government representative, just by sending a letter of intent, would have the permission to grow up to 4 plants at home. And for those who don’t want to, or can’t have their very own home-grow, the proposal also supports the creation of cannabis social clubs.

No doubt that this proposal could never make it past the voting process and into the public sphere as it stands, with the more than conservative government at the helm; but the fact that this well-known and growing political party is willing to take such a forward stance has a lot of people talking about how the future of cannabis in Italy might go and how they can help the 5-Star Movement to push a mere proposal into a reality.