As more jurisdictions contemplate and pass laws to legalise cannabis for medical and non-medical purposes, the discussions about cannabis policy will likely become more intense in the EU. Member States can learn from these experiences and decide if they want to maintain their current cannabis supply policies or try something else. Those considering alternatives should remember that change need not be permanent; however, if profit-maximizing firms are allowed to produce and sell cannabis, they will have strong incentives to fight against regulations and policy changes that will negatively affect their bottom lines

Background paper commissioned by the EMCDDA for Health and social responses to drug problems: a European guide