Posts in category: About us

In 1993, following the request of the European Commission, 14 organizations working in the field of drugs founded the European Coalition for Just and Effective Drug Policies. During two decades, Encod grew into a platform of 150 members, organizations, companies and citizens who want an end to the war on drugs. With lobby, actions and information we have strengthened their voice at the United Nations, the European Union and on the national and local level.

We are the European section of an International Coalition, which consists of more than 500 NGOs from around the world that have adhered to a Manifesto for Just and Effective Drug Policies (established in 1998).

Among our members are organisations of cannabis and other drug users, of health workers, researchers, grassroot activists as well as companies. See the list of members.

Our struggle has entered a crucial phase. Recently various regions and countries all over the world have started to implement alternatives for drug prohibition. Change is in the air. But what will future drug policies look like? Will they take into account the interests of ordinary citizens?

After many years of lobbying inside the Brussels bureaucracy, Encod achieved a first major victory in the European Parliament in December 2004, when the ‘Catania report’ was approved by a majority of MEP’s (Members of the European Parliament). This report proposes a radical change in EU drug policy and advocates harm reduction and a scientific and balanced approach instead of maintaining drug prohibition. It also recommends to involve civil society organizations in the design and implementation of drug policy.

Since 2006 Encod promotes the concept of Cannabis Social Clubs. These are associations of citizens who organize the cultivation of a limited amount of cannabis to satisfy their personal needs, through a closed circuit of production and distribution on a non-profit basis. CSC’s now operate legally in Spain and Belgium, whereas initiatives to obtain a legal status are carried out in several other countries. More and more Europeans discover the CSC as the perfect tool to show what legalization could look like.

ENCOD members are invited to participate in an Annual Assembly and participate in several electronic mailing lists. We publish a monthly bulletin containing an actual comment on the European Union’s drug policy and news on ENCOD’s activities.

You can support us by becoming a member or donor of our organisation.

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any question you may have.