On Wednesday, the Finnish Parliament overwhelmingly voted against a citizens' initiative aimed at legalizing cannabis, with a vote count of 145 in favor of rejection and 18 against. This decision aligned with the legal committee's recommendation made last December, which suggested that the initiative should not proceed due to concerns raised by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). The THL's report cited potential addiction risks and various harms associated with cannabis use, despite noting that cannabis might be less harmful than many other intoxicants.

The legal committee's report also included a minority opinion signed by representatives Atte Harjanne (Green League) and Jessi Jokelainen (Left Alliance). This dissent suggested the need for a comprehensive study on drug policy development, assessing the impacts and regulatory frameworks for cannabis legalization. The proposal had been initiated in 2022, advocating for cannabis to be regulated, legalized, and taxed, signifying a significant societal debate on drug policy in Finland.

The rejection of this initiative reflects the Finnish Parliament's cautious stance towards drug legalization and highlights ongoing debates concerning drug policy and public health. The vote brings to the forefront discussions about the potential benefits and challenges of cannabis legalization in Finland, as well as the broader implications for similar initiatives in other countries.