Finland follows suit: The left-wing coalition now officially supports the legalization of cannabis.

The Finnish political stage has just changed a turning point that could have significant consequences in the coming years.Left AllianceThe country’s second largest party now officially supports the legalization of cannabis for adult use, with a state-controlled distribution model.

A strong signal in a country where the debate has so far been rather cautious, and a movement that catapults Finland into the current of transitions observed in other parts of Europe…

A new position that could change everything in Europe

At its congress, the Left Alliance adopted a clear program, including legalization,  distribution management through public stores and authorization for small-scale home cultivation. The local press aptly summarized the decision, speaking of a “transfer” of sales to state-owned stores and a limited opening for home cultivation, as decided at the conference on Sunday.”

Note that this new line brings the Left Alliance closer to the Greens. They already pursue a similar approach in their 2024 program. They also advocate for the legalization of consumption, possession, production, and sale. (and we at Kilogrammes do too).

Until now, the Left Alliance had been content with defending decriminalization, especially the abolition of penalties for possession or consumption of small amounts. The transition to a regulated market therefore represents a paradigm shift. The message is: Cannabis should be considered as… a substance that can be regulated, like alcohol or certain medicines.

Between Europe, national debates, and citizen pressure…

Finland is not developing alone, and hybrid models are rapidly increasing in Europe. We are particularly talking about... partial legalization in Germany, a regulated system in Malta, or an increased tolerance in the Netherlands. Not to forget international precedents like Uruguay or Canada, which provide grounds for legal and economic discussions.

At the national level a citizens’ initiative demanding the legalization, regulation, and taxation of cannabis is currently also being examined by the Legal Committee.

However, the mood remains tense, as the Social and Health Committee has already voted against it, arguing that Finland should not enact laws in this direction. A dissenting opinion from the Greens and the Left Alliance, however, calls for the consideration of decriminalization, also for other substances.

Economic analyses fueling the debate

To support this argument, a study was conducted by Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. The author recently examined the potential economic and social impacts of legalization in Finland. She analyzes the shift from the black market to the legal industry, including possible GDP stabilization, the creation of a new sector, redistributed tax revenues to social issues and a cost reduction related to enforcement.

The study also highlights the country’s ecological potential, where Finland, thanks to its commitment to renewable energies, could develop sustainable cannabis production. This is an argument that carries weight in a country already very advanced in these matters.

The conclusion of the scientific work suggests that legalization would open an industry capable of generating revenues to offset possible negative effectsand at the same time allows us to address internal challenges such as excessive alcohol consumption.

A symbolic step, but a long way to go…

To say it right away: Finland is not yet ready to join the most progressive countries in terms of cannabis regulation. However, the Left Alliance’s announcement broadens the scope of the debate and gives it legitimacy. a fact-based approach, not based on fear or traditional portrayals.

For a rapidly changing European market for CBD and legal cannabis, CBD flowers for CBD hash and resins including everything related to news alternatives to THC. This kind of political movement always resonates.

Things are changing, slowly but surely, and Finland could very well be the next testing ground for cannabis regulations…