International

Luxembourg: Police officers can now use cannabis outside of working hours

Published

2 years ago

September 12, 2023

Photo: DR

Luxembourg police officers can consume cannabis as long as they are outside of their working hours. The regulation of cannabis for recreational purposes, approved last July, also applies to security forces.

Luxembourg recently amended its legislation to regulate the possession and cultivation of cannabis for personal consumption, now allowing citizens to grow up to four cannabis plants from seeds for personal use. However, a recent revelation in the Luxembourg press indicates that this legislation is also applicable to members of the police forces in the country.

This means that Luxembourg security officers are allowed to consume cannabis during their free time. There is however one important exception: police candidates are subjected to toxicological tests during the recruitment process and a positive result results in the candidate's immediate expulsion.

It is still prohibited for police officers to work under the influence of cannabis, something that was highlighted by a police spokesperson, quoted by the Luxemburger wort, although there are difficulties in determining whether or not an agent is under the influence of the substance. Currently, the police do not perform routine drug tests on their officers, but have stated that if drug use is suspected or related incidents occur, the officers involved may face disciplinary and legal consequences.

Portuguese police banned from using cannabis or other substances

In Portugal, the situation is different. The Disciplinary Statute of the Public Security Police (PSP), established by Law no. 37/2019 of May 30, stipulates in article 23, paragraph v) that it is prohibited for members of the PSP to “consume or traffic narcotics or psychotropic substances or of a similar nature.”

Contrary to Luxembourg, which adopts a more flexible approach to the use of cannabis by police officers in their free time, the PSP's disciplinary statute in Portugal explicitly prohibits the use of illicit substances, including cannabis. Any PSP police officer found consuming drugs may face disciplinary and criminal action, in accordance with current legislation.

About regulation in Luxembourg

Luxembourg has made a significant change to its policy regarding cannabis. The new law that legalizes the possession and personal cultivation of cannabis for adults came into force this Friday, July 21, as announced by the government. The Ministry of Justice made the fact official by publishing a statement in Tuesday's Official Journal, confirming the future change in policy.

Antonio João Costa

I am one of the directors of CannaReporter, which I founded together with Laura Ramos. I am from the unique Island of Madeira, where I currently reside. While I was in Lisbon at FCUL studying Physical Engineering, I became involved in the national hemp and cannabis scene and participated in several associations, some of which I am still a member of. I follow the global industry and especially legislative advances regarding the different uses of cannabis.

I can be contacted by email at joao.costa@cannareporter.eu