Ref. Ares(2022)7920572 - 16/11/2022
Ref. Ares(2023)4265410 - 20/06/2023
November 16th 2022
Open Letter to the European Commission Towards a "European New Drug Deal" - Enabling reform efforts in the Member
States in the sense of an effective drug policy Dear Members of the European Commission,
We, representatives of the European cannabis industry and associations, take note of the fact
that progressive approaches towards the use of adult-use cannabis have been prevailing in
international comparison for several years. In the European Union, more and more Member
States - including Malta, Luxembourg, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands - are
embarking to reform their formerly prohibitive drug policies in a result-oriented manner
allowing for a new cannabis policy framework covering all its use cases.
Most recently, the government of the Federal Republic of Germany has presented a key issues
paper on how it intends to transfer the formerly illegal market for adult-use cannabis into a
regulated framework. These reforms are in no way contradictory to the global goals of
improved health protection. Therefore,
we would welcome a timely, in-depth evaluation of
the capacities of European drug policy under the global drug control treaties by the
European Commission. By sharing the German interpretation of those treaties,
the
Commission will allow Member States to implement forward-looking drug policies to
reach the intentions of our global drug control treaties far more effectively than the
previous attempts of blanket prohibition.
For a long time, attempts were made to restrict the cultivation, distribution and consumption
of cannabis through prohibitive and repressive drug policies. As a result, the use, availability
and THC potency of cannabis in the unregulated illicit market has been increasing, while
contamination continues to pose an unpredictable health threat to citizens in the EU1. Finally,
the failed drug policies of the past decades have led to organised crime generating billions in
revenue year after year.
The proposal from Germany aims for effective youth and health protection and addresses the
immediate weaknesses of the old prohibition paradigm, such as the expansion of the illicit
market and the proliferation of contaminated substances. Thus, the objective of this approach
is in line with the purpose of the 1961 as well as 1988 UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and the objectives of the EU Drugs Strategy
2021-2025.
1
European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (2022), European Drug Report 2022: Trends and Developments,
Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg.
November 2022 – Open Letter towards “European New Drug Deal” – pages 1/2
Health protection as well as the strengthening of health literacy are central concerns of the
European Union and its Member States. Accordingly, we consider the current German
approach to be an important signal to advance towards an urgently needed reform of
European drug policy. On the way to such a "European New Drug Deal", the balance between
public health, law enforcement and market economy is crucial to assume an international
pioneering role.
In this comprehensive effort towards a new consensus, the Commission can rely on the
support of all stakeholders. We, the diverse European cannabis industry and associations,
continuously work towards increased research and knowledge sharing in the epistemic
community. We see ourselves as a resource for evidence-based policy making and are an
ideal partner for consultation and subject-matter evaluation. We trust that the EU-Commission
will support all endeavours to strengthen a paradigm shift in drug policy.
Yours sincerely,
Tom Broockmann (Managing Director), ADREXpharma GmbH, Germany
Tej Virk (Director & CEO), Akanda Corp., United Kingdom
Lars Erik Råen (CEO), Balancial AS, Denmark
Dr. rer. medic. David Surjo (CCDO), Canify AG, Germany
Tim Henley (UK Commercial Manager), Cannim Group Pty Ltd, Australia
Stefan Jacker (COO), CanPharma GmbH, Germany
Ioana Freise (Head of Reg. & Public Affairs), Cansativa GmbH, Germany
Matthias Fischer (Managing Director), Canymed GmbH, Germany
Jan Simon (CEO), CZ Pharma s.r.o, Czech Republic
Dr. Constantin von der Groeben (Managing Director), DEMECAN GmbH, Germany
Thomas Schatton (CEO), Four 20 Pharma GmbH, Germany
Oliver Schultz (CCO), Grünhorn, Germany
Šárka Betke (Managing Director) High Five Group s.r.o., Czech Republic
Richard Balla (CEO), IMC adjupharm GmbH, Germany
Jonathan Lubosch-Haenisch (CEO), iuvo Therapeutics GmbH, Germany
Georg Wurth (CEO), German Cannabis Association, Germany
Dr. med. Jaschar Kermany (CEO), Kineo Medical GmbH, Germany
Michal Drdák (Business Director), Lagom Pharmatech s.r.o., Czech Republic
Nick Pateras (Managing Director), Materia Global, United Kingdom
Antonia Menzel (Director Public Affairs & Corp.Spokesperson) Sanity Group GmbH, Germany
Luc Richner (Co-Founder and CEO), Vigia AG, Switzerland
Börge Diessel (Managing Director), WEECO Pharma GmbH, Germany
November 2022 – Open Letter towards “European New Drug Deal” – pages 2/2
