In the last few decades, many things have changed for the better in the cannabis world thanks to the tireless efforts of activists from around the world and the widespread adoption of reforms in policy. Sadly, some things remain the same. This includes unfounded statements made by opponents of cannabis in an effort to maintain failed cannabis prohibition. A recent example of this can be found in Europe, where authorities are claiming that North American legalization is turning European countries into ‘narco states.’
Belgian Customs’ head recently blamed Canada’s historic 2018 adult-use marijuana legalization measure on a recent surge in seizures of cannabis at the Belgian Port of Antwerp – Bruges. Belgian authorities claim that seizures of cannabis from Canada in Belgium have increased between 2024 and 2025. However, they do not provide any proof to prove the Canadian cannabis was seized from regulated sources.
The comments of the Belgian customs chief are similar to those made by other European authorities and by European Union Drugs Agency. The EUDA had warned earlier this year of an “increased” amount of cannabis being smuggled from North America into Europe.
No secret exists that where cannabis is prohibited, sources of unregulated cannabis will fill the gap. The history is clear on this. The evidence available suggests that cannabis prohibition is not the best way to regulate cannabis and that policymakers need to consider other regulatory approaches.
The Illicit Market is being displaced by the Legalized Market
North America has no cannabis legalization issue. Europe has the problem of cannabis prohibition. Cannabis regulation works. Enough data has been gathered to demonstrate that cannabis consumers who are permitted to buy cannabis legally and grow cannabis themselves will do so rather than purchase cannabis illegally.
Uruguay was the first nation on earth to legalize adult-use cannabis in 2013. Sales of recreational legal products began in Uruguayan pharmacies in 2017. Customers can also choose to grow cannabis at home, or join a Uruguayan cultivation association. According to Uruguay’s National Drug Board the legal cannabis model in the country has eroded the share of the unregulated cannabis market in Uruguay.
Canada has seen a similar trend. According to an analysis of the market conducted by a group of researchers affiliated with universities and research institutes in Canada and the U.S. last year, Canada’s legal marijuana industry captured 78% post-legalization.
The border between Mexico and the United States has seen some of the biggest changes in cannabis policy. In recent years, as legal cannabis commerce spread throughout the United States, the demand for cannabis that was smuggled in from Mexico has decreased dramatically. U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated that as of the year 2022, cannabis was seized along the Mexico/U.S.border. Border had decreased by 98%.
The European Union’s prohibition of alcohol creates an illicit market
Any objective observer would not be surprised that North American cannabis manufacturers are looking to other markets for their products. Their domestic options are diminishing as cannabis consumers begin to shift their buying power away from unregulated suppliers and towards regulated retailers. It will be the same in every market when regulated cannabis is allowed. If they want to eradicate the illegal cannabis market within their jurisdictions, they need to adopt sensible cannabis industry regulation because cannabis prohibition is not going achieve this goal.
Regulation Has Wider Economic Benefits
The legalization of cannabis has many positive effects on the jurisdictions that permit it. Legal cannabis creates jobs in rural areas, where it is more difficult to find work. A legal cannabis industry boosts local economies, and generates substantial tax and fee revenues for the public coffers. In the U.S. where fewer than half of states have legalized adult use, recreational sales generated over $28.4 Billion in tax revenue between 2014 and 2016.
Aside from saving money, legalizing adult-use marijuana allows governments not to waste their time and resources on an ineffective cannabis prohibition. Germany spent approximately 1.3 billion Euros per year to enforce cannabis prohibition prior to the adoption of the CanG adult-use legalization measure in April 2024. France currently spends an estimated €570m annually on cannabis prohibition enforcement. These funds can be used for other worthy causes such as fighting crime. When that happens, all members of the society are benefited. Not just cannabis consumers.
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