Prime Minister Zoran Zaev announced decriminalization of possession of small quantities of marijuana for personal use, as well as a debate in the first half of next year on the legalization of marijuana. As announced by Zaev, this would mean that, following the example of Amsterdam, people will be able to buy marijuana in licensed coffee shops.

Except for personal use, Zaev announced legal changes that will allow cannabis growers for medical purposes to export the plant’s flower. Through that rate, Zaev expects revenue of 250 million euros in 2021 alone.

At the moment, there are 59 companies in Macedonia with licenses for growing cannabis.

Activists and associations that have long advocated for the decriminalization of marijuana say that Macedonia is ready for this step to, as they say, end the persecution of those who possess marijuana for personal use.