European Cannabis Reform Demonstrations Scheduled For May 31st
Cannabis activism comes in many forms. Working to modernize cannabis policies in any jurisdiction where prohibition is in place is not easy and requires a diversity of tactics. One of those tactics that activists have incorporated for decades is public demonstrations and protests.
Peaceful protests and demonstrations are necessary in jurisdictions where people in power refuse to be sensible about cannabis policy and reform discussions. When policymakers are committed to ignoring or gaslighting cannabis advocates when they call for sensible laws and regulations, it is time for the masses to take to the public spaces, have their voices heard, and remind society that the cannabis movement is large and passionate.
There are at least two demonstrations scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 31st, in Europe. The first is a demonstration in Rome, Italy. DolceVita describes the demonstration as (translated from Italian to English) “the demands against the Security decree join those of hemp in demonstration with the presence of the Million Marijuana March.”
“Thousands of people will descend on Piazza Vittorio to say no to the Security decree, which, among other things, risks wiping out the Italian industrial hemp sector with a single stroke.” DolceVita also reported. “The one organized by Rete No Ddl Sicurezza and Million Marijuana March is much more than a demonstration. But one of the last opportunities to try to stop a law that, if definitively approved, would decree the closure of over 3 thousand companies and the dismissal of over 22 thousand workers.”
“The reasons for this massive mobilization are rooted in deep concerns about what will happen to the country’s hemp sector. The issue is not only economic, but also social. Announced crackdown on hemp could lead to closure of thousands of legal businesses; it may result in job losses and a subsequent rise of the black market.” reports Soft Secrets about the upcoming demonstration in Rome.
“Italy’s government passed the new Decree Law on Citizen Security on April 4, 2025, promoted by the leading Fratelli d’Italia conservative right-wing party and Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni. The measure imposes rigid restrictions that will severely impact Italy’s industrial hemp sector and CBD products – one of the biggest in Europe.” the outlet also wrote.
The second demonstration will be held in Lisbon, Portugal. The Lisbon demonstration is reportedly organized by the March for Cannabis Collective, and is scheduled to start at 15:30 pm at Jardim das Amoreiras. Attendees will be advocating for the full legalization and regulation of recreational, medical, and industrial cannabis use.
“The March for Cannabis will be taking place in the heart of Lisbon next Saturday, in an event that usually brings together a large part of society that advocates for a change in the framework of cannabis.” reports CannaReporter. “The event, scheduled for 15:30 pm, will be held at Jardim das Amoreiras. At 16:20 pm, the March will begin its route towards Largo de Camões, in a walk that unites activists, patients, hemp farmers and even tourists in a single voice calling for legislative change.”
Check with local activists and organizations in your area to see if any demonstrations are being planned in your region on May 31st, and as always, keep fighting for sensible cannabis policies and regulations where you live by educating policymakers and nonpolicymakers about the benefits of modernized cannabis policies and the harms of prohibition.
