The Cannabis Party (Danish: Cannabispartiet) is a minor political party in Denmark that advocates for the legalization and regulation of cannabis for both medicinal and recreational purposes.
Founding and organization
- Founded: 2005 (the party was registered as a political organization in Denmark in that year).
- Legal status: Recognized as a political party eligible to run in national and local elections.
- Leadership: As of the most recent publicly available information, the party’s chairman is Benny Olsen. (Leadership may change; verification with the party’s official communications is advised.)
Political platform
The party’s platform is centred on cannabis‑related policy, including:
- Legalization: Full legalization of cannabis cultivation, distribution, and consumption for adults.
- Regulation: Implementation of a regulated market similar to that used for alcohol and tobacco, with quality control and taxation.
- Medical access: Expansion of medical cannabis programs and removal of existing prescription barriers.
- Criminal justice reform: Decriminalization of possession of small amounts of cannabis and the removal of related criminal penalties.
Electoral participation
- The Cannabis Party has contested several Danish parliamentary (Folketing) elections (e.g., 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019) and local municipal elections.
- In all national elections to date, the party has received a vote share well below the 2 % threshold required for representation in the Folketing and consequently has not secured any parliamentary seats.
- The party’s best national result was approximately 0.3 % of the total vote in the 2019 election (exact figures vary by source).
Public perception and influence
- The Cannabis Party is classified as a single‑issue party, and its primary political impact has been to raise public discourse on cannabis policy in Denmark.
- While it has not achieved legislative representation, its presence contributes to broader debates on drug policy reform, which have been reflected in occasional government‑commissioned studies and public opinion polls indicating increasing support for cannabis liberalization.
Current status
- The party remains active, maintaining a website and social media channels for outreach and recruitment.
- It continues to field candidates in elections, although without parliamentary representation.
Notes
- Detailed, up‑to‑date information on internal party structure, membership numbers, and recent electoral performance should be obtained directly from the party’s official publications or from the Danish Ministry of the Interior’s election archives.
