The liberalization of cannabis returns to divide the government
The legalization of soft drugs returns to divide the political forces that support the Draghi government. As already happened in Parliament on the occasion of the vote on the adoption of the basic text which aims to liberalize cannabis, the clear split between center-left and center-right is plastically repeated at the highest levels, with the M5s and Pd ministers on the one hand, in favor to legislation that revises the current rules on the use and cultivation of cannabis, and the center-right on the other, firmly opposed to any initiative in this sense. The occasion of the new confrontation is offered by the VI National Conference on addictions, promoted by the five-star Minister of Youth Policies, Fabiana Dadone. An appointment that returns after 12 years of absence. In an interview preceding the Genoa Conference, the minister recalls that she is among the promoters of a law for the legalization of cannabis.
Then, speaking at the Conference, Minister Dadone explained that, more generally on the subject of addictions, “the hope is to draw up a national action plan”. The Head of State also spoke on the subject of addictions, in a message in which Sergio Mattarella underlined how the “phenomenon of addictions” often has “deep roots, linked to discomforts that can affect each person and that society struggles to cope with. grasp in time. Understanding this reality represents a fundamental starting point for intervening with the determination and skills necessary in the various areas “. But it is the specific point of the possible legalization of soft drugs that ignites the debate (and confrontation). “I would like the processes to restart from Genoa, which then give rise to an organic, inclusive change, without ideological barriers, without a preconceptual dualism: let’s face all the alarms that are widespread. Let’s not focus only on what our beliefs are”, is the invitation of the minister M5s, according to which the choice to liberalize cannabis made by the new German government “is a choice that Italy should evaluate but it is necessary to be able to reach a majority in Parliament. This is the delicate point” . And, in fact, the numbers are lacking in Parliament.
Dadone and Orlando for liberalization, but the government is split
On the adoption of the basic text on cannabis, the majority split in the House. In September Pd, M5s, Leu and Piu ‘Europa voted in favor, while the Renzians abstained and Lega and Forza Italia voted against together with FdI. The text – which provides that “adults of 18 years of cultivation and possession for personal use of no more than four female cannabis, suitable and aimed at the production of narcotic substances and the product obtained from them” – is now stopped in commission and it will be difficult to find a convergence within the majority in the short term. As indeed the debate on the subject demonstrates, with two clearly opposed fronts. According to the Minister of Labor, Andrea Orlando, it is necessary to overcome a “merely repressive approach” to the problem and avoid “hypocrisy, ideologies, fanaticism and political propaganda”. The “repressive” approach, according to the exponent dem, “was prejudicial and repulsive and did not take on the frailties”. In particular, Orlando emphasized the fact that “when a partner that is not exactly irrelevant and an ally that is not exactly negligible like Germany seems to be profoundly changing the line on this front, I believe it is inevitable that some reflection will also be made in our Country”.
Matteo Salvini replied dryly: “It is very worrying that a minister of the Republic speaks lightly about drugs. The League is on the side of life and of young people: the Minister of Labor deals with workers, temporary workers and redundant workers, let them families, experts and communities should take care of the fight against drugs “, the leader of the League cut short. Less tranchant but still opposed to legalizing soft drugs, the governor of Friuli and president of the Conference of Regions, Massimiliano Fedriga, observed: “I agree with those who have said that we must not use drugs to campaign, but not I believe that drugs can be fought by legalizing them “. In the same vein, the blue minister for regional affairs Mariastella Gelmini: “I say clearly that I am part of a thought, of a cultural current, which is not only opposed to any form of legalization of any type of narcotic substance, but I am also convinced that there is no freedom to take drugs “. Gelmini therefore acknowledges that “there are different sensitivities in the government on the issue”. Clear closure by Giorgia Meloni: “FdI reiterates its absolute opposition to the legalization and liberalization of cannabis”. For Meloni “the words of the ministers Orlando and Dadone send a devastating message”. An alternative route could be the referendum: “In the spring Italy will have the possibility to choose the legalization of cannabis”, remembers the Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs Benedetto Della Vedova.
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