In Italy, the surprising statement by the Minister of Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigida, regarding “cannabis light” sparked a wave of reactions and amusement. Monday evening, during a meeting, a journalist handed the minister a joint of “cannabis light”, a legal and less potent version of cannabis containing less than 0,5% THC. Lollobrigida refused, saying: “No, light no. If you're going to smoke a joint, you might as well do it right. »
The minister, known for his gaffes, also affirmed his opposition to the cultivation of “light cannabis” in Italy, preferring to preserve agricultural fields for cereals. “I have no intention of converting our grain fields into light cannabis fields. On the contrary, I think we can survive without it,” he said.
These statements quickly circulated in the Italian media and on social networks, provoking a series of humorous reactions. A user on X (formerly Twitter) asked: “Hey, Lollobrigida, where do you buy it? ", while a caricature depicted him with dreadlocks and a joint like a Rasta singer. Another ironic comment congratulated the minister for having “finally said something sensible.” »
Riccardo Magi, secretary general of the centrist +Europa party, reacted on his X account by calling for the legalization of cannabis, maintaining that this position is shared by millions of Italians.
Francesco Lollobrigida, brother-in-law of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and member of the Fratelli d'Italia party, is accustomed to controversial statements. Two weeks ago, in the context of the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, he hit the headlines by praising “conviviality” as a vector of peace during a hearty meal, wondering how many wars could have been avoided in front of a good dinner.
The conservative government of Giorgia Meloni, in place since October 2022, plans to reverse the authorization of the production and sale of “light cannabis”, legalized since the end of 2019. This proposed reban comes at a time when other political parties are campaigning for the complete legalization of cannabis in order to fight against drug trafficking.
