A draft law to decriminalize possession of up to 15 grams of cannabis and cultivate one plant has been submitted to the Polish Sejm, sparking conflict among lawmakers.
Bill Submitted to Sejm, Behind-the-Scenes Disputes Emerge
Last week, a bill amending the anti-drug act, aiming to decriminalize possession of up to 15 grams of cannabis and the cultivation of one plant, was submitted to the Sejm. The bill originated from the work of a parliamentary team on cannabis decriminalization, but was formally submitted by members of the Centrum parliamentary club, raising concerns among other team members who allege appropriation of the initiative.
Composition of the Decriminalization Team
The parliamentary team on cannabis decriminalization currently comprises 18 members, representing the Civic Coalition, Centrum, Poland 2050, Confederation, and the Left, as well as independent MP Marcin Józefaciuk (formerly Civic Coalition).
Disappointment with Centrum’s Actions
Adam Gomoła, a Poland 2050 MP and member of the decriminalization team, expressed disappointment with Centrum’s actions, stating he feels deceived. He believes Centrum submitted the bill to quickly demonstrate their “effectiveness.”
Poland 2050 Will Not Block Decriminalization
Despite the internal disputes, Poland 2050 does not intend to block the decriminalization idea itself. Gomoła recalled that the previous leader of the group, Szymon Hołownia, had already expressed support for decriminalizing possession of small amounts of cannabis during the 2023 and 2025 election campaigns.
Concerns Regarding Bill’s Provisions
Gomoła noted that his group has reservations about certain provisions of the bill and intends to submit amendments or a separate bill to address legal gaps. He emphasized that 15 grams in public spaces is not a healthy amount for recreational use, but rather a business plan for small-scale drug trafficking, requiring a different solution.
Criticism from the New Left
Anita Kucharska-Dziedzic, a member of the team and MP from the New Left, also expressed disappointment with Centrum’s actions. She hopes that team members from all clubs will act responsibly and that the deception will not have repercussions, acknowledging the bill’s potential despite the circumstances, and noting that organizations supporting their work were not informed about the submission.
Continued Support for Decriminalization from the Left
Kucharska-Dziedzic affirmed that the Left will continue to support cannabis decriminalization, while acknowledging that the bill requires discussion at the committee level. She believes the bill should allow for the possession of three cannabis plants instead of one.
KO Criticizes Centrum’s Conduct
Klaudia Jachira, a KO MP (Greens), also criticized Centrum’s actions, stating she learned about the initiative’s submission after the fact and immediately sought to add her support to the list. She stated she supports the bill but criticized colleagues for not informing other team members so everyone could sign it.
Centrum Defends its Actions
Ewa Szymanowska from the Centrum club, representing the bill’s proponents, assured that their club’s intention was not to appropriate the non-partisan initiative, but to break the political impasse surrounding it. She pointed out that the bill required the signatures of 15 MPs – exactly the number belonging to the Centrum club – and that other team members would need approval from their club leaders to sign.
Divisions Within Confederation Regarding Cannabis
MPs from the Confederation party aligned with Sławomir Mentzen express support for the decriminalization initiative. Michał Połuboczek, a Confederation MP and member of the decriminalization team, stated he is a libertarian and views cannabis as a medicinal substance, and intends to support the project.
Opposition Within Confederation
However, Krzysztof Mulawa, a Confederation MP and member of the National Movement’s Main Board, stated he is a staunch opponent of liberalizing access to any narcotics, including cannabis. He indicated that other members of the National Movement may share his view, while those from New Hope, led by Sławomir Mentzen, may have a different approach.
Opposition from PiS and PSL
MPs from PiS are opposed to the introduction of the solution, and some politicians from PSL have also expressed their disapproval of the project.
Medical Cannabis Imports Increasing
Medical cannabis has been legal in Poland since November 1, 2017, and became available as a pharmaceutical raw material on January 17, 2019. Data from the Chief Pharmaceutical Inspectorate shows a steady increase in medical cannabis imports over the years. Imports rose from approximately 14 kg in 2017 to over 250 kg in 2020, then to nearly 1 ton in 2021, 1.65 tons in 2022, and 4.5 tons in 2023. In 2024, 7.8 tons of hemp herb were imported into Poland, and almost 8.5 tons in 2025.
Formation of Centrum Club
At the end of February, Minister of Climate and Environment Paulina Hennig-Kloska, along with 15 MPs and 3 senators, announced their departure from Poland 2050 and the formation of a new parliamentary club called Centrum, following tensions within the party after the invalidation of the second round of elections for the new party leader.