Cannabis in Cyprus

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Cannabis in Cyprus is illegal for recreational use but legal for medical use.

Prohibition[]

Cannabis is a Class B substance – life imprisonment is possible for use and maximum eight years for possession (at the maximum two years for the first offence for under 25-year-olds).

Arrest[]

In practice, an offender is taken to a local police station by drug enforcement where a statement, fingerprints, and/or a confession are taken. After minor interrogation, the offender is held overnight and then released to be later called to court where a judge will set a fine between 400-1000 Euro for a first time offence (depending on the amount of cannabis found and severity of the case). Factors such as being helpful to the police, full confession, completion of 6 month "detox" program provided by government and an apologetic attitude towards the judge does indeed help obtain a reduced fine.

Drug rehabilitation[]

The offender must appear at a detox center and complete a 6-month drug rehabilitation program at the end of which a relevant officer will send a letter to the judge in regard to their accomplishment. They will also receive an honorary diploma upon completion of the program. Non-completion of this 6-month program has unconfirmed consequences such as the fine being higher when sentenced at court.^[1]

Medical use[]

Cyprus legalized the medical use of cannabis oil in January 2017, for use by advanced state cancer patients only.^[2] In February 2019 a more expansive law was passed that increased the number of qualifying medical conditions.^[3]

Cultivation[]

The island state has a comparative advantage over many other seasoned cannabis-producing states such as the Netherlands or Portugal. Its ideal climatic conditions and its long periods of sunshine are very favorable to plant growth. The fact that it also belongs to the EU single market allows firms to base their operation on the island and passport services across various EU states without further regulatory checks. According to forecasts, Cyprus can produce more than €236 (£204) million worth of medicinal cannabis each year.^[4]

Legalization efforts[]

In de facto independent Northern Cyprus, the first 420 event was held in the capital city Lefkoşa in 2015. On April 20, 2017 a small group of protesters carried out an event near the parliament building and made a public statement, demanding the legalization of cannabis sale, consumption, and production within state regulations.^[5]

See also[]

• Cannabis in Northern Cyprus

References[]

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