Where are we almost a year since consultative referendums

So far, according to the records of the National Assembly, as many as 44 consultative referendums have been proposed, and only a handful were carried out. Of these, more than half a year ago, when we voted on the introduction of a preferential voice, about assisting in the voluntary end of life and the use of cannabis for both medical purposes and for personal use. Most referendum questions have more or less convincingly supported.

Can we promise changes, or will this institute be finally recorded in history as one that, regardless of the demonstrated majority, is not a guarantee of change? The will of the voters, demonstrated at the consultative referendum in 2008, has been unfulfilled so far, when voters made a proposal for the establishment of provinces. The proposal was supported by 61.92 percent of respondents, but it should be noted that only 10.98 percent of the eligible voters voted.

This referendum also accompanied the allegations that it was used for pre -election purposes. In the end, he was proposed by the Janša ruling coalition – the implementation of the consultative referendums was decided by MPs – similar to the good decade later, proposed by the Golob Coalition. Also, due to the co -operation with the European elections, four times so many eligible voters have argued about four questions.

The highest turnout, 60 %, has so far been in referendums about Slovenia’s approach to NATO and the European Union, which, on behalf of the name, was a consultative but were binding for the National Assembly.

► Preference voice

The highest support among all four issues was given to the introduction of a preferential voice in the parliamentary elections, as much as 70.89 %. Therefore, given the fact that at the beginning of his term, the NSi was publicly announced and proposed by the method of introducing it, it seemed that the changes he has been talking about for a long time could occur during this term. They require at least 60 parliamentary votes, which coalition parties have Movement Freedom, SD and Levica, along with the NSi.

But shortly after the referendum, it was possible to feel the stunning of the NSi, which did not give up even when the freedom movement into parliamentary procedure filed their proposal, which was not the simplest version, as it also envisaged a change in the constitution due to the increase in the number of deputies by two. Thus, several constituencies would come, five MEPs would vote in each, avoiding candidates from urban centers. Even after the failure of this proposal, the coalition claims that it has not yet raised its deadline and will file a new proposal in the parliamentary procedure that will not require amendment to the constitution.

► Assistance in voluntary ending of life

Following a public presentation of the proposal at the beginning of the year, the coalition MEPs filed a law on assistance in the parliamentary procedure in voluntary ending of their lives. They waited a bit with him, as they first wanted to adopt the amendment to the Health Care Act, which they refer to in the Movement Freedom as one of the key laws of this term and should separate private and public health.

Regardless of the fact that the new proposal is no longer talking about euthanasia, but exclusively about assistance in the voluntary end of life – the proposal was also coordinated with the Silver Thread Society, which submitted its proposal with voters signatures last spring – they are concerned that we will re -decide on it in the referendum – this time on subsequent legislative. It is not yet known when the Members will start the hearing of the mentioned proposal, but given that they have approved the amendment of the Health Act, it is expected to soon. The support of the coalition and, consequently, the appropriate majority is supposed to be provided.

► Using cannabis for medical purposes

The law governing the cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes on the territory of Slovenia was sent by coalition MPs to consider the National Assembly. According to connoisseurs, they go by law German, but with improvements to German weak points. One of them is that a German citizen can receive a diagnosis and a recipe for cannabis flower from a doctor in Cyprus without seeing each other at all.

Hemp for medical purposes will be treated as a medicine as education will be limited to legal persons with permits. There are 12 in Slovenia now, but they can be joined by new ones. However, given all requirements, cannabis for medical purposes will grow in a controlled greenhouse environment. Farmers will be able to participate, but will have to respect European standards of good agricultural practice.

The law will also eliminate cannabis from the list of drug prohibitions, and only THC remains on it, which is contained in each cannabis plant. It should also change the provision that convicted of drugs should not be involved in production and processing. This would be punished by many in this area. Medical cannabis market is on a strong ascent, it is officially in Germany already 700,000 users, but unofficially much more.

► Hemp for personal use

The arrangements of the cultivation of medical cannabis will also be followed by arrangements for personal use, they replied from the Svoboda parliamentary group. If they follow the German example in this case, the cultivation of two or three plants for personal use will be allowed. In addition, users will be able to connect to clubs with up to 500 members. They are only under emergence in Germany, and for now only a handful, even the first in Bavaria, has received permission, as they need their club premises, among other things.

They want to protect users from the unverified offer of the black market in the Movement, but this will only happen if the prices in the permitted market are lower, and some of the analyzes conducting societies will survive. Users most want to arrange the permissible content of psychotropic substances. In alcohol, this border is clear, especially in traffic, and for cannabinoids, only traces are sufficient, which remains several days after use, even if it is a CBD drops for sleeping.

Namely, police officers or employers will not be able to blame users with a recipe. Doctors and pharmacies are unlikely to be able to fulfill all their wishes, so there will also be a gray market, especially for some forms of use, such as candles.

All referendum questions last last year more or less convincingly supported. Photo: Leon Vidic/Work