Tirana, Albania--In a significant development, the Albanian Parliament, overcoming strong opposition, has voted to legalize cannabis for medical use. This is a radical shift for a nation notorious as a European hub for marijuana trafficking.
The Parliamentary Vote and Backlash
Associated Press reported that on July 21, 2023, the Parliament favorably voted 69-23 for the controlled cultivation of cannabis plants, a decision vigorously challenged by opposition parties. However, the specifics of the regulation of medical cannabis remain undefined. The government hopes that by permitting limited cannabis production, it could stimulate a rise in tax revenue.
Historic Cannabis Challenges in Albania
The left-wing Socialist Party government, led by Prime Minister Edi Rama, has made the eradication of cannabis plants a priority since coming to power in 2013. The report stated that over the ensuing two years, it obliterated millions of cannabis plants worth an estimated €7 billion ($8.5 billion), accounting for over two-thirds of the country's GDP then.
Despite these efforts, Albania remains a significant route for trafficking hard drugs, and police continue to encounter sporadic instances of cannabis growing, albeit less frequently than a decade ago.
Legalization for Medical and Industrial Use
After the contentious public opinion survey results, the cabinet approved a draft law legalizing cannabis for medical and industrial purposes. According to the controversial "National Survey," 61% of the polled citizens favored such legalization. Per a report by Balkan Insight, the proposal met opposition, particularly given Albania's fraught history with illegal cannabis production and trafficking.
The Albanian Council of Ministers approved the draft law, intending to control and supervise the cultivation, production, processing, and export of cannabis, its by-products, and final products, as stated by Minister of Health Ogerta Manastirliu. The establishment of a controlling agency is imminent.
Continual Struggle with Cannabis Trafficking and Corruption
Despite these reforms, the nation is still battling its association with state corruption and gangsterism. The arrest of Erisa Fero, a senior Albanian government official, while allegedly transporting 58kg of cannabis near the border with North Macedonia earlier this year, spotlights the ongoing challenges.
Fero's connections to organized crime are suspected, and her potential misuse of her official government ID to avoid police checks has raised serious security concerns. The incident has cast a shadow over Albania's efforts to deepen its relationship with the EU, which includes potential future membership.
Political Implications and Corruption Allegations
Albania's political opposition ties Fero's alleged criminal activities to her past affiliation with the ruling Socialist Party, arguing her appointment at AKSH (Albania’s state information agency) was a reward for her political support.
Such corruption claims underscore Albania's struggle with drug trafficking and its influence on the nation's political landscape, leading to allegations of it being a "narco-state." These recent developments are crucial for Albania's ongoing bid to join the EU.