Although it is not clear when cannabis consumption began to become popular in Europe, it is still popular today. Parts of Europe, such as Amsterdam and Barcelona, have been a favorite destination for cannabis fans for years.
Europe has yet to see a country fully legalizing adult use of cannabis, despite the growing momentum in recent years. An Italian court ruling, similar to one in Mexico, ruled that banning cannabis was unconstitutional, but Italian legislators have yet to implement the court’s mandate.
A new trend is emerging in Europe that was probably unexpected to occur even a handful of years ago, and it could play a big role in what legalization eventually looks like in Europe.
Low-Dose THC
The legal cannabis industry is booming in Switzerland, but not in the way most people think. Unlike legal cannabis in Canada, which involves cannabis that is very high in THC, Switzerland’s cannabis industry is based on a low-THC model.
‘Floral hemp’ is very popular in Switzerland right now.
Floral hemp differs from industrial hemp in that it is cultivated to be smoked versus being cultivated to be made into textiles.
Floral hemp that contains less than 1% THC is legal in Switzerland, and many entrepreneurs are selling the low-dose form of cannabis.
Hemp is legal in many parts of Europe and has been used for many years to make textiles and other manufactured goods, but the influx of hemp varieties, which look and taste like high-THC, are becoming widespread across the continent.
They do not induce the euphoric effects that high-THC does, making them ideal for cannabis consumers that are either new to cannabis, or consuming after a long absence.
Will Low-Dose THC Limit High-THC Legislation?
Presumably, many people in Europe that are consuming low-THC cannabis are doing so because it’s legal, but they would prefer to consume legal cannabis that had higher THC limits. For consumers that fit into that category, the rise in popularity of low-THC in Europe could prove to be a two-edged sword.
On one hand, it’s great to see any type of legal cannabis going mainstream. On the other hand, it gives lawmakers an ‘out’ in that they can claim that cannabis is ‘already legal’ and thus there is no need to push for additional legislation.
Hopefully as time goes by and lawmakers in Europe see that low-THC cannabis is not causing issues, they will be more likely to support comprehensive legislation. In the meantime, cannabis consumers in Europe will likely continue to purchase low-THC cannabis at an increasing rate.
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