Albania's Parliament recently voted to legalize cannabis cultivation for medical purposes, marking a significant shift for a nation previously known as a hub for marijuana trafficking in Europe. The 69-23 vote permits limited and regulated growth of cannabis plants, a decision met with strong opposition. While the specific regulations surrounding medical cannabis remain unclear, the government anticipates increased tax revenue from this new venture.
Historically, marijuana cultivation thrived in Albania due to weak governance following the communist era, creating opportunities for drug traffickers. However, since assuming power in 2013, Prime Minister Edi Rama's Socialist Party government prioritized eradicating cannabis plants. Over the subsequent two years, millions of plants, estimated to be worth $8.5 billion (equivalent to over two-thirds of Albania's GDP at the time), were destroyed. This crackdown led to violent clashes, including a 2014 incident where a police officer was killed during a raid on a village involved in cannabis cultivation.
Although Albania remains a key route for hard drug trafficking, police operations targeting cannabis cultivation have decreased significantly compared to a decade ago, though isolated cases are still addressed.
