First three stores closed in 'war on cannabis'

Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Salvini said the issue could spark a government crisis
ANSA (Italy)
Thursday, May 9, 2019

italy cannabis salvini di maioDeputy Premier and Interior Minister Matteo Salvini said that his drive to close all of Italy's 'cannabis shops' has started with the closure of three stores in central Italy. These shops sell 'cannabis light' - hemp flowers and products that have an extremely low level of the psychoactive compound that makes people high. At the moment cannabis light' can be sold legally, although, in theory at least, the aromatic hemp flowers must not be smoked or eaten and any eventual seeds must not be cultivated. The issue is the latest to expose differences between Salvini's League and its government coalition partner, the 5-Star Movement (M5S). (See also: League voted for cannabis shops, notes M5S MP | Italy’s interior minister declares war on cannabis, but stakeholders expect limited impact)