Slovenia: What does the proposed regulation of cannabis in the country provide?

Slovenia has taken a step forward in cannabis legislation with the introduction of a new legislative proposal aimed at legalizing the medical and scientific use of cannabis. The initiative follows a public mandate, in which voters supported cannabis-related ballot measures just under a year ago. Now, members of parliament are trying to turn that public sentiment into policy.

In 2024, Slovenian voters made headlines by supporting two advisory ballot measures – one in favor of home cultivation for medicinal purposes and another in favor of non-commercial personal use of cannabis. While non-binding, these measures sent a strong signal to lawmakers, encouraging a change in the country’s cannabis policies.

Responding to this call, the political groups Freedom Movement (Gibanje Svoboda) and The Left (Levica) have tabled a sweeping bill that would legalise cannabis extracts, resin and plants, officially removing them from the list of banned substances in Slovenia. THC would remain regulated, accessible only for medicinal and scientific use.

Safeguarding public health and fighting the illicit market

The Freedom Movement stressed that this bill aims to protect patients and ensure the safety of cannabis products. “Our goal is to protect users from unregulated black market products, ensure a consistent medical supply, and close legal loopholes in cannabis regulation,” the party declared in local media.

The new framework seeks to create an efficient and regulated system that supports both economic development and scientific advancement. The Public Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices will be responsible for overseeing the licensing and distribution of cannabis products, while the Ministry of Health will manage scientific use authorizations.

Aligning medical cannabis with pharmaceutical standards

One of the main components of the bill is the alignment of cannabis production with pharmaceutical quality standards. Under the proposed bill, medical cannabis would be treated like any other prescription drug, following strict guidelines for cultivation, processing and distribution.

Patients suffering from diseases such as multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and cancer would be eligible for medical cannabis prescriptions, according to left-wing lawmaker Nataša Sukić. This new approach not only improves patient care, but also puts Slovenia on the right track to becoming a hub for the export of medicinal cannabis, noted deputy Sara Žibrat.

Economic potential and regulatory innovation

Slovenia’s innovative proposal is already attracting international attention. Experts in the International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) called it “Europe’s most progressive medical cannabis law”. The bill opens the door to any qualified company to apply for a license – preventing monopolies and encouraging competitive innovation.

Most importantly, the bill requires all cannabis products to meet strict quality control and production standards, increasing consumer safety and product reliability.

Public activism and cultural change

The bill’s presentation coincided with the annual Cannabis March, hosted by the University of Ljubljana Student Organisation. Activists at the event highlighted the failure of the ban, arguing that it empowers illegal trade, penalises consumers and restricts scientific research.

“Prohibition is the most harmful form of regulation,” the organizers declared, echoing a sentiment that is gaining traction across Europe.

While Slovenia’s current bill is aimed solely at medical and scientific applications, lawmakers hint that this may be just the beginning. The Freedom Movement has indicated that personal cannabis use by adults could be a topic of debate in the next legislative session, suggesting that Slovenia may be preparing for a phased approach to legalizing cannabis, starting with medicinal use and potentially expanding to broader frameworks of decriminalization and regulation.

A Progressive Leap Towards Cannabis Reform

Slovenia’s legislative push to legalize medical cannabis marks a transformative moment in the country’s drug policy. With a well-regulated system, the bill promises to safeguard public health, stimulate economic growth and weaken the illicit market.

As Slovenia joins other European nations in rethinking cannabis laws, this proposal signals a new era of cannabis normalization, based on science, safety and social progress.

If the new regulations are approved, Slovenia could soon be a model for other nations exploring responsible cannabis regulation in the modern era.

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João Xabregas

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With a professional background in CAD technical drawing (2D and 3D), João Xabregas is an activist and advocate for all uses and applications of cannabis. He discovered and entered the world of cannabis during his youth, where he developed a special interest in the cultivation of the plant, which led him on a journey of self-learning through the world of cannabis that continues to this day. His adventures linked to cannabis cultivation began with the same goal as many others: to be able to guarantee the quality and eliminate any possible risks to his health of what he consumed, as well as to avoid any type of dependence on the illicit market. However, he quickly began to view the world of cannabis and everything related to it with a very different perspective. He admits the enormous passion he has for the most persecuted plant in the world and about which he is always willing to write and have a good conversation.

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