The BE is calling for sales to be made only in establishments licensed for the purpose that they “must have, only as their main activity the commerce of cannabis plants, substances or preparations”, while PAN takes the view that sales “should occur exclusively in pharmacies”, where there are professionals qualified to offer clarification.
The bill from the BE, which will present its proposal first, foresees the legalisation of cannabis for personal non-medicinal use, with the law also to regulate aspects of production and cultivation, marketing, acquisition, detention and consumption of cannabis plants or derivatives.
“The main objective of responsible and safe legalisation of recreational cannabis should always be the reduction of problem consumption, the effective fight against drug trafficking and associated crime” and the promotion of public health, safety, making citizens responsible and preventing addictions, it said.
In its bill, meanwhile, PAN states that the objective of regulating the recreational use of cannabis is the “protection of public health and safety” by providing safe and informed access.
“This law aims to protect people from the risks of illegal trade and drug-trafficking, as well as the health, social and economic consequences that the irresponsible and uninformed use of psychoactive substances can have on society,” it says in its bill.
Both parties specify, that sales of the product should only be made to people aged 18 and over and who are not suffering from mental illness.
They also propose prohibiting the advertising of cannabis products or establishments that are to sell them and that packaging should be neutral and informative, alerting customers to any potential damage to their health.
On the cultivation of cannabis for personal use, the BE bill allows for this, to a maximum limit of five plants to a person’s own permanent residence, and the PAN bill to six plants. Cultivation by adults only for personal use must be done only with seeds acquired in establishments licensed for this purpose, both bills specify.
They also advocate a ban on the consumption of cannabis products in workplaces, in places for children and young people, in closed public spaces, in nursing homes, in establishments where health care and transport are provided, in rental vehicles and in vehicles used to transport patients.