The Bloco de Esquerda (The Left Bloc), Portugal’s left-wing democratic socialist party, delivered a new draft law to the Assembly of the Republic this week proposing the legalisation of cannabis for personal use.

The proposal calls for the state to regulate the creation of authorised commercial establishments, the sale of cannabis online and the domestic cultivation of up to five plants per person.

The New Proposals

This new draft law is different to previous legalisation attempts as The Left Bloc have now dropped an article which proposed the prohibition of edibles and drinks containing cannabis.

This shows progress as it takes into account the millions of euros of potential revenue this market could provide.

However, “the sale of cannabis enriched with aromas, flavors or additives” would remain prohibited alongside the sale of synthetic cannabis. The state would also be able to limit THC levels.

“The State must regulate the entire cultivation, production and distribution circuit, being able to determine a maximum THC limit, as well as the consumer price, in order to combat trafficking and the illegal market”, the draft reads.

The proposal also suggests that “the retail sale of cannabis plants, substances or preparations for personal consumption without a medical prescription and provided that for purposes other than medicinal ones, is subject to authorisation from the General Directorate of Economic Activities”.