Exhibition Website frenchdutchparadox.org

Travelling exhibition on French/Dutch cannabis paradox to premiere at United Nations in Vienna

by 2026Actions & EventsAUSTRIACNDENCOD PRESS RELEASESEventsFRANCENederlands (nl)News

 

VIENNA – A new travelling exhibition comparing the divergent cannabis policies of France and the Netherlands will premiere in Vienna on March 12, coinciding with the annual meeting of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND).

The year 2026 marks a dual 50th anniversary: the birth of the Dutch tolerance policy for cannabis, which paved the way for their world-famous coffeeshops, and the publication of ‘L’Appel du 18 Joint’, a plea by a group of prominent French citizens for decriminalization of cannabis.

The exhibition, ‘1976-2026 – The French/Dutch Paradox in the Global Drug War’, explores half a century of cannabis policy within these two founding members of the European Union, contrasting pragmatic regulation with rigid prohibition.

Visitors can trace the evolution of the Dutch model, up to the current experiment with regulated cannabis cultivation, supplying around 80 coffeeshops. The contrast with France is stark. The 1976 appeal has evolved into a French “420”, with demonstrations for legalization all over France on June 18. Yet the law remains strict and repression persists. Despite decades of criminalisation and mass arrests, France continues to see the highest cannabis consumption rates in Europe.

What’s on display? The heart of the exhibition is a narrative wall featuring photos, illustrations and English texts. A display case contains historical artefacts depicting Dutch and French cannabis culture. There’s a live cannabis plant in a cage and a section dedicated to the late Joep Oomen (1961-2016), drug reform activist extraordinaire and co-founder of NGOs Encod and stichting VOC.

The project is a collaboration between Encod (European coalition for just and effective policies), stichting VOC, Cannabis Sans Frontières, FAAAT and the Cannabis Embassy.

Nine cities in seven countries

Following its Vienna debut, the exhibition will travel to Bilbao, Berlin, Paris, Brussels, Prague, Amsterdam, The Hague and Eindhoven. The goal is to show it in nine cities in seven countries. Leaflets with translations of the exhibition texts in five languages are available, as well as a comprehensive 24-page guide featuring further information and imagery.

Vienna: March 12

The exhibition will be stationed in front of the Vienna International Centre (VIC) on Thursday March 12. Board members from Encod and stichting VOC will be on site to talk to visitors, international delegates and journalists.

 

Website: www.frenchdutchparadox.org

Gaby Kozar, Encod coordinator (Vienna): gaby@encod.org Phone: +43 699 123 790 86

More information: www.voc-nederland.org

 

THE FRENCH / DUTCH PARADOX IN THE GLOBAL DRUG WAR 

LOGO centenary of Cannabis Prohibition 1925-2025

UNESCO’s Mondiacult to Spotlight Cannabis in Global Cultural Policy for First Time

by 2025Actions & EventsENCOD MEMBERSSPAIN

 

 

Read the new in Business of Cannabis Online : https://businessofcannabis.com/unescos-mondiacult-to-spotlight-cannabis-in-global-cultural-policy-for-first-time/

For the first time in its history, UNESCO’s flagship cultural policy conference will give cannabis a prominent platform, marking the centenary of its international prohibition and reflecting its growing cultural acceptance.

UNESCO’s (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development, Mondiacult, is the world’s largest cultural conference, welcoming delegations from all 194 member states, aimed at setting the cultural agenda across the globe for the coming years.

From September 29 to October 01, during the 25th edition of the event, two contributions from civil-society organisations FAAAT (Forum Drugs Mediterranean) and the Cannabis Embassy, will make the case to position cannabis at the heart of global cultural policy discussions as the UN prepares its post-2030 development framework.

FAAAT and the Cannabis Embassy have submitted two official contributions: a technical paper, Cannabis: A Plant Without Borders. Cultural Diagnosis, One Hundred Years After Its Prohibition, and a consultation report on the role of cannabis-linked communities in preserving intangible cultural heritage, with insights drawn from events in Barcelona and Santiago de Chile.

This inaugural inclusion of cannabis comes on the centenary of cannabis being simultaneously recognised in the international pharmacopoeia and listed as a ‘narcotic’ under treaty law. The initiatives at Mondiacult seek to reframe this legacy by integrating cannabis-linked practices into broader heritage and sustainability agendas.

“Mondiacult is the largest international gathering dedicated to culture, bringing together thousands of participants who will shape the global agenda for years to come,” said Sébastien Béguerie, president of FAAAT.

Kenzi Riboulet-Zemouli, an expert on international drug policy, added that the 2025 edition represents a “decisive moment to enshrine cannabis-related cultures within the United Nations’ next development strategy“.

The move reflects a broader trend from prohibition towards cultural recognition. FAAAT, which has been active in drug policy reform for over two decades, played a key role in the UN’s 2020 rescheduling of cannabis. The Cannabis Embassy, formed in 2024 to unify international advocacy, continues this work by appointing ‘cannabis ambassadors’ and participating in global forums.

Mondiacult gathers thousands of policymakers and cultural practitioners every four years. With the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda nearing its end, the 2025 conference provides a rare opportunity to re-evaluate the place of traditional and contemporary cannabis cultures in global policy-making.

  • https://mondiacult2025.org/
  • https://agoracivica.cat/en/

 

More infos

En français :

  • https://www.newsweed.fr/lunesco-met-pour-la-premiere-fois-le-cannabis-a-lhonneur-dans-la-politique-culturelle-mondiale/?fbclid=IwY2xjawM3a-RleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHifsR8JXRYN4zJuCyDcrZGlqPOKHvahIL2bX3eBu4sQxm_PvAGBVj1EFJzut_aem_LlRt5vca3VRNMt0qjrJ4kQ

Spanish :

Barcelona marca un punto de inflexión histórico para la liberación del cannabis

 

Earth Garden Report ENCOD Website Karen Mamo Pic 01a

ENCOD at Earth Garden Festival Malta 2022

by 2022Actions & Events

As the festival season kicked-in in Malta, ENCOD participated at the first harm reduction booth set up at Earth Garden festival. Organised from 3rd to 5th of June, Earth Garden Festival is synonymous with the local entertainment scene and provides a family friendly atmosphere to those visiting the festival grounds. Spread over three days and including the participation of numerous local and foreign artists, the festival attracted thousands of people throughout the weekend. The different music genres, information stalls, but also a number of workshops addressing health and well-being facilitated an innovative educational and talking hub.

ENCOD‘s new president Dr Fabian Steinmetz delivered a very well attended workshop on cannabis quality and transparency. Dr Steinmetz congratulated Malta for the historic legislative change decriminalising cannabis, and the possibility to establish non-profit cannabis associations, like ENCOD’s own Cannabis Social Club model. He spoke about the importance of promoting an educated approach, especially for those who have found a new passion for horticulture and anything green. Focusing on the role of education and knowledge about different risks associated with home growing, the ENCOD President highlighted the importance of identifying possible contamination of cannabis and bioburden (presence of microorganisms), especially in country’s prone to humid weather and thus increased risk of mold, as is the case in Malta.

The Harm Reduction booth, sponsored by the University of Greenwich, was set up by ENCOD member Ms Karen Mamo who for the past couple of years has been pushing for a humane and a harm reduction approach for drug use in Malta. Through the facebook page Harm Reduction Malta, Karen is the first local researcher to advance a human rights-based approach to drug policy and is further advocating for the rights of people who use drugs.  Together with Dr Giulia Zampini – founder of the People and Dancefloors project, Karen spoke about the nexus between drugs in society, education and public health.  

 

During the visit to Malta, President Steinmetz also used the opportunity to meet with Ms Mariella Dimech, Chairperson of the Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis, whereby discussions revolved around the role of testing and the dialogue between cannabis growers, consumers, and authorities.  

ENCOD’s participation was covered by the excellently penned article No more ‘war’: reducing harm is the new language on drugs, written by journalist Maya Dimitrijevic, working with one of the leading newspapers in Malta, MaltaToday

In the picture from left to right:
Dr Fabian Steinmetz, ENCOD, Schildower Kreis, LEAP Germany, Delphic HSE
Dr Giulia Zampini, senior lecturer University of Greenwich and founder of People and Dancefloors project.
Ms Mariella Dimech, Chairperson of the Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis.
Ms Karen Mamo, researcher and promoter of Harm Reduction in Malta, and member of ENCOD since 2019.

 

 

 

 

Just Coca webinar 2022

by 2022Actions & Events

2 days | 4 workshops

The two-day event (with interpretation in English and Spanish) features 20+ international, multidisciplinary speakers: scientific experts, users, entrepreneurs, drug reform advocates and policy makers providing testimonials, keynote lectures, panel & round table discussions, and plenty of Q&A opportunities for interaction with the audience.

Just Coca | Solo Coca | 18–19 May 2022

Day 1 Introduction https://youtu.be/W46AI1-ZeUU

Day 1 part 1/3  https://youtu.be/kbDkSqD9um4

Day 1 part 2/3  https://youtu.be/WTRtNwyrHqk

Day 1 part 3/3  https://youtu.be/qZLnYKxdv7U

WATCH on YouTube!

 

cultiva2021

Hanfexpo/Cultiva 2021 in Vienna

by 2021Actions & EventsNews

From 19th to 21st of November 2021 we participated at the much expected Hanfexpo / Cultiva 2021 in Vienna. The strict COVID-19 measures (2G+: vaccinated or recovered + a negative PCR test and FFP2 mask when walking around) resulted in a fair with a small number of visitors, the exhibitors had only a small assortment, and some presentations were canceled. It was a game of chance from the very beginning. We wish them better luck for next year.

Here are some snapshots from the event.

 

 

education is not a crime

Writing about cannabis is a crime in Czech Republic!

by 2021Actions & EventsCzech (cz, sk)News

November 15, 2021—Prague

Writing about cannabis is a crime!

On November 3, 2021, the Legalizace magazine and its editor-in-chief, Robert Veverka, were convicted of inciting and promoting “toxicomania” by the district court in the town of Bruntál.

The editor-in-chief, Robert Veverka, and the publishing company of the Legalizace magazine, both prosecuted since the summer of 2020 for allegedly inciting and promoting “toxicomania”, were given a one-year prison sentence contingent on a probationary period of two and a half years as well as a fine of 50,000 CZK by the district court in Bruntál following two court hearings.

According to the public prosecutor, Jan Žalman, Veverka and the publishing company have committed the crime of inciting and promoting toxicomania by publishing more than two hundred articles during 2010–2020 which allegedly gave the impression of cannabis processing and handling being legal, provided qualified instructions on cannabis cultivation, processing, and storage, and by publishing cannabis-themed advertisements as well as offering legal and freely marketable cannabis seeds which appeared several times as a supplement of the printed magazine issues. This conjecture was confirmed by Judge Marek Stach in his verdict on November 3, 2021, when he found the defendants guilty of the above.

Although the judge admitted that the Legalizace magazine gives the impression of a very objective medium, as it provides broadscale, comprehensive information and expert opinions as well as insight into the medical aspects of cannabis, he proclaimed the reason for his verdict is that some of the articles may incite the desire in certain individuals to acquire equipment that could enable them to grow, harvest, process, and use cannabis in a way which is illegal. The judge also stated that if the printed photographs depict cannabis flowers evidently covered with resin, these images cannot, therefore, be of industrial cannabis without psychoactive properties. According to the judge, such content is a temptation to readers; almost every issue of the magazine allegedly possesses the capability of influencing the conduct of readers and inciting them to abuse addictive substances. Although the majority of the articles found in the published magazine issues are legally sound, according to Judge Marek Stach, even one single article with the potential to incite readers is enough for the Legalizace magazine to constitute the crime of inciting and promoting toxicomania.

“The judge mentioned that he is not competent to assess the benefits of the current legislation, the benefits of cannabis products in healthcare, or the negative effects of cannabis use, but that he must base his verdict on the existing legislation which is binding for all. He stated that according to his judgement, Legalizace magazine evidently and factually constituted the criminal offence of inciting and promoting toxicomania. He did not take into account the legislative provisions allowing for cannabis to be handled legally in certain cases or the comprehensive and educational nature of the information published in the magazine. On the contrary, the judge expressed his doubts as to whether the individuals who granted interviews to the magazine were made aware of its content and overall message. Personally, I consider the verdict to be very biased and severely restrictive of the freedom of expression, the right to express political opinion, and the right to information,” says Robert Veverka.

The verdict is not final, the defendants are waiting for the written statement of the reasons for the court’s decision to be issued and will use this time to consider a possible appeal. The verdict has caused considerable outrage among the lay and expert public alike, which is calling on the newly appointed Chamber of Deputies to update the outdated legislation on psychoactive substances and the specific section of the law referring to the inciting and promoting of toxicomania.

If you care about freedom of the press, you are encouraged to donate to Robert Veverka’s crowdfunding transparent bank account no. 2900469065/2010
(IBAN: CZ4320100000002900469065, BIC/SWIFT: FIOBCZPPXXX – https://ib.fio.cz/ib/transparent?a=2900469065). The funds collected will be used to cover the costs of the lawsuit and for the further fight for freedom of expression.

Media Contact:

Robert Veverka, tel. +420 773 691 561, email: robert@legalpub.cz

Website: https://magazin-legalizace.cz/, FB: https://www.facebook.com/magazinlegalizace

Robert Veverka is the publisher and editor-in-chief of Legalizace magazine, the head of the Legalizace.cz NGO, a member of the Prague Council Commission for Drug Policy Coordination, and a representative and member of the Security Commission and Education Commission of the Prague 2 municipal borough.

Veverka v konopi

Education is not a crime!

by 2021Actions & EventsCzech (cz, sk)

Legalizace magazine and its editor-in-chief, Robert Veverka have been formally accused of “inciting and promoting toxicomania”, with penalties of up to five years of imprisonment. The first court hearing will take place on Tuesday, October 5 at 8:30 AM at the district court in the town of Bruntál, Czech Republic.

The goal of Legalizace magazine, a bimonthly periodical dedicated not only to cannabis, is to provide unbiased information about drug issues with regard to human rights and environmental protection. Since its founding in 2010, the magazine has published interviews with notable individuals, articles on drug legislation, cultivation technologies and methods, information about cannabis treatment, studies and scientific findings, news coverage from both the Czech Republic and abroad, and articles concerning history and culture.

According to Czech law, cannabis is considered a regular agricultural crop plant and also possesses the status of a medicinal plant, and its cultivation and processing is permitted in compliance with Act No. 167/1998 Czech Law Coll. without special permission. Given this fact, Legalizace magazine considers the criminal charges of “inciting and promoting toxicomania” not only an instance of systematic failure and demonstrable ignorance of cannabis legislation by the prosecuting authorities but also a gross infringement of freedom of expression and the right to information guaranteed by the Czech Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms.

“The prosecution, which is calculated, stigmatizing, borderline untruthful, and based on fallacious conjectures and limited interpretation by the police that the cultivation and processing of cannabis is automatically illegal or that any mention of cannabis automatically equates ‘inciting toxicomania’, comprises a dangerous precedent comparable to totalitarian repression and censorship. I consider it my duty to fight not only for the right of Legalizace magazine to exist, but also for the rights of all print and electronic media who have ever dared mention the word ‘cannabis’ – or plan to do so in the future,” said Robert Veverka, the editor-in-chief, regarding the indictment.

From its inception, the purpose of Legalizace magazine has always been to provide comprehensive, objective, and balanced information about the cannabis plant regarding its botanical, industrial, medicinal, and legal contexts. The aim has also been to point out the dismal state of drug policies, whose efforts do not fulfill the declared intention of a world without drugs. On the contrary, the current prohibition increases the risks of addiction and is primarily aimed at the repression of high-risk groups. Legalizace magazine has never incited its readers to abuse psychoactive substances of any kind – on the contrary, it has substituted the role of the state in situations where, for instance, legal cannabis patients are not provided enough information about how to handle prescribed cannabis or what kinds of risks or side effects can arise in connection to said cannabis use. According to expert opinions, Legalizace magazine is one of the most significant components of the tertiary prevention system in the Czech Republic in terms of protecting society from psychoactive substances and the negative effects of their abuse.

Legalizace magazine and its editor-in-chief invite all the public and media who care about the freedom of expression and the future of cannabis to attend the trial, which will take place on October 5, 2021 at 8:30 AM at the district court in the town of Bruntál, room 210A.

Contact for the media:
Robert Veverka, tel. +420 773 691 561, email: robert@legalpub.cz
Web: https://magazin-legalizace.cz/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/magazinlegalizace
FB Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/396682462064878

Robert Veverka is the publisher and editor-in-chief of Legalizace magazine, the head of the Legalizace.cz NGO, a member of the Prague Council Commission for Drug Policy Coordination, and a representative and member of the Security Commission and Education Commission of the Prague 2 municipal borough.

Screenshot at 2021-04-16 18-13-16

Rolling into the future: Recreational cannabis legislation in the EU

by 2021Actions & Events

Dear friends and members,

On Monday 19th of April at 10.30 (CET) we are inviting you to watch the conference organised by MEP Cyrus Engerer and ENCOD about the future of recreational use of cannabis in the European Union.

At the conference, we will look into the different kinds of policies currently in place across Europe and focus on policy options that respect the rights of people who consume cannabis, whilst pursuing and promoting health and harm reduction strategies. Regulation should be viewed as a continuous process whereby revisions and corrections are not interpreted as failures, but rather as interesting crossroads and paths that pave the way towards a human- and health-centred policy.

See the complete video of Dr. Mireia Ventura about harm reduction and the contamination of cannabis with synthetic cannabinoids.

 

Program

Introductory Remarks by MEP Cyrus Engerer (Malta)

Video messages from the Member States: Portugal (prof. dr. Ximene Rego, University of Minho and prof. dr. Olga Souza Cruz, University Institute of Maia), Malta (Andrew Bonello, Releaf), The Netherlands (Derrick Bergman, VOC), Spain (Oscar Parés, ICEERS), and Belgium (Michel Degens, Mambo Social Club)

Panel 1) Human Rights and Drug Policy

TITLE: The sustainability of current cannabis policies and practices (Moderator: Mr. Jonathan Cilia)

Video message: The (illegal) cannabis market in Italy and the economic implications of its legalization: prof. dr. Marco Rossi, University of Rome

Panel discussion:

Tom Blickman, Transnational Institute (NL)

Péter Sárosi, Rights Reporter Foundation (HUN)

Prof. Dr. Justus Haucap, economist (GER)

Dr. Constanza Sánchez, International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research and Service (ESP)

MEP Alviina Alametsä (FIN)

Panel 2) Rolling into the Future

TITLE: Essential policy principles for the recreational cannabis law (Moderator: Mr. Jonathan Cilia)

Introduction: MEP Mikuláš Peksa (Czech Republic)

Cannabis Social Clubs: prof. Dr. Mafalda Pardal (Ghent university)

Quality assurance, staff education, and harm reduction: Dr. Mireia Ventura (Energy Control)

Freedom to Farm: Dr. Maja Kohek and Gabriele Kozar (ENCOD)

Cannabis and driving – European Union guidelines on standardized field sobriety tests: Dr. Fabian Pitter Steinmetz (toxicologist)

Final remarks by MEP Cyrus Engerer (Malta)

Join us on the 19th of April 2021 at 10.30 (CET)!

 

IMG_20200303_155518-8

Side-events at the 64th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND)

by 2021Actions & EventsCND

Dear friends and members,

Once again the time has come.

At the 64th session of CND, ENCOD is organizing a side-event on the Heroin and Ibogaine Assisted Treatments, and co-organizing one about Strengthening the Prevention & Treatment of Cannabis Problematic Use.

You can join the virtual event about the Heroin and Ibogaine Assisted Treatments on the 13th of April 2021 from 9.00 to 9.50 (CET).

Heroin and Ibogaine Assisted Treatments CND 2021 ENCOD flyer

Check out the report from Ukraine here.

 

You can join the virtual event about Strengthening the Prevention & Treatment of Cannabis Problematic Use on the 15th of April 2021 from 14.10 to 15.00 (CET).

Strengthening the Prevention & Treatment of Cannabis Problematic Use CND 2021 DIANOVA flyer