How Will Brexit Impact the UK Cannabis Community?

Wacky Baccy From Brussels – And More Cannabis Flavoured Issues From The Front End Of Brexit

There are many places where Brexit could absolutely affect the ability of British cannabis patients to obtain now legal by prescription medical weed. Whether Brexit will be good for cannabis patients in general is another matter. Hard to tell really, as the nation faces down an economic impact that could be as bad as the last Great Depression and a potential self-inflicted diplomatic wound equivalent to losing the Suez Canal.

According to Nigel Farage, at least, right-wing politician, (former) UKIP member, and hard Brexiter to the end, however, cannabis might yet play another role in Brexit. Granted, it is one that the advocacy community (not to mention the legal cannabis industry) has not “exploited” so far.

To review, here, generally, are the options facing the UK (with cannabis issues highlighted).

1. Britain could, theoretically at least “crash out” of the EU. This means that cannabis has no way of getting into the country. Just like other medications and food. The British government is starting, for the first time, to talk stockpile. Is cannabis even on the table? Probably not.
2. Britain could stay in the EU, which means that British cannabis patients could, theoretically, come to Germany to get treated and covered there. Or Spain. Or Greece. See also Malta. And a few others.
3. Britain could end up accepting the negotiated Brexit agreement crafted by current Prime Minister Theresa May, allowing, supposedly, for the free movement of goods but not people. Import city, right? Presuming, of course, the National Health Service (NHS) survives. Not to mention disposable household income.

However, according to Farage, hard Brexit is still the only reasonable alternative. Why? It will remove the UK from the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice (or EJC) which sits in Luxembourg.

To quote him (from the UK Daily Telegraph): “If you think some of the ECJ’s judgments up until now have been off the wall, just wait for the future when the bored judges are stoned off their heads on wacky baccy. Marvellous!”

For the record, Luxembourg only changed its medical cannabis laws this summer. Six months, in fact, before Britain changed its own domestic law to reschedule cannabis as a legal, Schedule II drug, available, at least theoretically, by prescription.

What is likely getting at Farage’s goat more however, is that the incoming government coalition in Luxembourg has just confirmed that it will legalize the recreational use of cannabis. The intention is specifically stated in its manifesto for action over the next five years. Per comments from the coalition itself, this move is also “overdue.”

Then again Farage’s perspective also might be due to the political inclinations of the new ruling coalition in Luxembourg, made up of the Greens, the Socialists, and the Democratic Party, all who understand the need to end the failed policy of cannabis prohibition. With Europe moving towards more progressive cannabis policies, hopefully, Brexit won’t leave the UK cannabis community behind.

Learn the latest about the global cannabis industry and network with top investors and entrepreneurs, at one of the upcoming International Cannabis Business Conferences. The ICBC will be heading to San Francisco, California, on February 7-8, 2019, before heading to Barcelona, Spain, for the first time for a special collaboration with Spannabis on March 14th, where European cannabis companies will be making pitches on stage for a chance to win 20,000 Euros. Then the ICBC will be heading back to Berlin, Germany, for the third time on March 31st to April 2nd. All of these events are expected to be sold out, so ensure your spots and save money by purchasing early-bird tickets.