The morning of July 21, 2023 will go down in history as the day when Albania officially opened the way to the legalization of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes. After a marathon session, the Parliament approved with 69 votes in favor, 3 abstentions and 23 against the draft law that was strongly opposed by the opposition and some critical voices even within the majority.
“69 votes in favor, 3 abstentions, 23 against. The draft law is approved in its entirety.” – said the Speaker of the Assembly Lindita Nikolla, at the close of the parliamentary session.
The decision makes Albania the second country in the region, after North Macedonia, to legalize cannabis for medical and industrial use. But unlike the optimistic buzz that often accompanies such initiatives, the experience of neighbors and the skepticism of experts in key fields cast doubt on the effectiveness of the new law.
While authorities see it as a step towards developing the pharmaceutical industry and helping patients with serious illnesses, security experts and doctors warn of risks that go beyond medical ethics, including criminal consequences and institutional corruption.
Hashish “Made in Albania”
In December 2021, Prime Minister Edi Rama sought popular votes to “legalize” his legal initiatives, including that of legalizing cannabis.
The National Consultation Questionnaire began on January 19 and ran until March 31, 2022. Through this survey, Albanian citizens had the opportunity to express themselves directly regarding the legalization of cannabis for various purposes, mainly for medical use.
According to the official results of the survey, the majority of citizens expressed their support for the legalization of cannabis, with government data showing that 308,992 people said yes to the initiative, 148,092 opposed it, and 51,051 abstained. This was enough for the government to initiate legal steps to institutionalize the initiative in a bill that was approved by the socialist parliamentary majority.
On July 21, 2023, with a simple majority of votes, the Assembly approved with 69 votes and because for the opposition “the legalization of cannabis is not the path to economic development and could bring social consequences, especially for young people.”
This was the reason why 23 MPs voted against, while 39 others did not participate in the vote.
But even within the ranks of the majority, the initiative did not find unanimous support. Fatmir Xhafaj, former Minister of Justice and one of the influential voices in the Socialist Party, along with Pandeli Majko and Erion Braçe, abstained.
From the Parliament podium, Xhafaj raised a question that continues to concern security experts even after the law was approved:
“Is this the financial activity we need at this moment? Is our society ready for this type of activity with great social, educational and security risks?” – declared the former Minister of Interior.
But for the Rama government, the country could become an important center of medical cannabis production in the region, where at the time it was said that the global medical cannabis industry was valued at 13 billion euros in 2023. With its Mediterranean climate and fertile soil, Albania has many chances to gain this role.
The law on the legalization of cannabis provides for the cultivation, processing and production of cannabis under controlled conditions, for medical and industrial purposes, through a special licensing system.
What does Law No. 61/2023 bring?
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The Law on the Legalization of Medical Cannabis was approved by the Parliament on July 21, 2023. It provides for the cultivation, processing, and production of cannabis under controlled conditions, for medical and industrial purposes, through a special licensing system.
A new institution – the National Cannabis Control Agency (AKKC) – has been created to oversee the process, from cultivation to export. “Our mission is to control, monitor and inspect the implementation of the law and standards at every stage of the process,” AKKC officially announces to shteg.org.
The law limits the maximum area allowed for cultivation to 200 hectares in total for the entire country. Each applicant can receive from 5 to 10 hectares for medicinal cultivation, while for industrial purposes the limit is from 1 hectare and above.
License applicants must meet criteria
Defined area (min. 5 ha – max. 10 ha).
Clear picture and complete financial and security documentation.
Previous experience in cultivation or trade (min. 3 years).
Minimum capital of 100 million lek.
Shareholders from OECD countries with at least 5 years of activity.
Pre-sales agreements and good manufacturing practices.
A new institution, the National Cannabis Control Agency (AKKC), has been created to oversee the process, from cultivation to export. “Our mission is to control, monitor and inspect the implementation of the law and standards at every stage of the process,” AKKC officially announces to “shteg.org”.
The law limits the maximum area allowed for cultivation to 200 hectares in total for the entire country. Each applicant can receive from 5 to 10 hectares for medicinal cultivation, while for industrial purposes the limit is from 1 hectare and above.
Toxicologist Alert Drishti, in an interview with “shteg.org”, acknowledges the values of medical cannabis, but raises concerns about professional ethics and the lack of pharmaceutical capacities in the country.
“Its use is acceptable only when other medications are ineffective. But Albania does not have the industrial capacity to produce cannabis-based medications,” he emphasizes.
He adds that use should be controlled and limited only to cases where it is recommended by international medical manuals, which are currently lacking in the Albanian healthcare system.
“The doctor himself has expressed concern about this point, as our country must provide another place for the production of these medications because it needs a pharmaceutical industry to produce them. Something that Albania does not have such an industry to develop on its own,” says the doctor. On the other hand, there is also what is called the safety of the use and production of this cannabis.
For security expert Fatjon Softo, the main problem is not the law itself, but its implementation.
“The risk lies in implementation, starting from licensing procedures, production control and supply chain monitoring to monitoring it with transparency and by independent institutions other than those established by law. In this case, we may have a negative impact if the institutional capacity to manage this trade is lacking,” he says.
Softo warns that Albania, with its long history of illegal cannabis cultivation, risks returning to the spotlight of illegal markets if strong control mechanisms are not put in place.
“Criminal groups are powerful, with influence, with finances that can corrupt public figures and influence decision-making. This situation and the history of criminalization of some institutions, at the level of employees in the administration, with political and economic interests have helped their entry into the economy, public tenders and money laundering,” says Softo.
Bitter experience
In 2016, while Albania was struggling with illegal plots of land, North Macedonia legalized cannabis for medical purposes, with the promise that it would bring economic benefits and employment. But the reality turned out to be harsh.
Of the 67 companies licensed to process cannabis oil, only 5 survived. Only one exports. Out of an expected 100 million euros, we ended up with only 2 million euros in sales per year and very few employees in the sector.
The lack of serious investment and interest from pharmaceutical companies almost led to the bankruptcy of this industry in Macedonia.
While the law has already been approved in Albania, so far no company has expressed interest in being licensed.
The law on the legalization of cannabis for medical purposes in Albania sets clear limits on cultivation areas. At the national level, up to 200 hectares are allowed to be cultivated, while each licensed unit must have an area ranging from 5 to 10 hectares.
Cannabis cultivation licenses are issued for a 15-year term and require the payment of a non-refundable fee. The law provides for control and reassessment every three years, and in case of violations, the measure of suspension, revocation of the license or temporary ban on activity may be taken. The law also provides for severe penalties for violations of the conditions, including fines ranging from 500 thousand to 5 million lek and ban on activity from 6 months to 3 years.
To obtain a license, companies must meet very strict criteria that practically exclude most Albanian entities. Previous international experience in the cannabis field is required, a minimum capital of 100 million lek, a detailed business and security plan, and a commitment to hiring experienced specialists. Entities must also guarantee transparency, cooperate with authorities, and provide a financial contribution in the form of an annual fee and a bank guarantee.
But security expert Fatjon Softo raises questions about the way the law is being implemented.
“The risk lies in implementation, from issuing licenses to controlling production and the supply chain. If institutional capacity and transparency are lacking, then we will have a serious problem,” says Softo, who according to him, the law could contribute to an increase in crime in the country.
“This can happen if the operation of production is not controlled according to the law. Criminal activities such as distribution outside the medical framework, illegal export or money laundering can be created.”
“Albania has a long history with cannabis. Without strong oversight, criminal groups can easily get involved. They are powerful, influential and have the funds to corrupt institutions,” the expert explains.
Meanwhile, in implementation of the law, on March 6, 2025, the Council of Ministers approved the cadastral areas where the cultivation of cannabis for industrial purposes will be permitted.
According to the decision, there will be 138 villages in seven regions for the cultivation of cannabis for medical and industrial purposes. The region with the most licensed villages is Gjirokastra with 53 villages, followed by Kukës with 23 and Shkodra with 17. In Vlora, 15 villages have been licensed, while Fier has the smallest number with only 4 villages included in this initiative.
The government has set clear standards for the lands where medical cannabis cultivation will be allowed. The plots cannot be located in protected areas, in territories of tourist importance, forests, pastures or meadows, and must be away from military or urban areas. It has also been decided that each plot must be at least 3 kilometers as the crow flies away from bee parks and military areas, in order to maintain environmental balance and safety.
Gazetare në “Rrjetin e Raportimit të Krimit të Organizuar dhe Korrupsionit në Shqipëri”- RRKOKSH.