Former Albanian Premier Sali Berisha appealed to the Albanian citizens to object Premier Edi Rama’s decision for the legalization of cannabis for medicinal purposes. Speaking to media reporters in a press conference, the Democrat leader called the decision as “absolutely the most harmful to Albania and Albanians”.

“This is a decision for the legalization of crime, drugs, murders, drugging of the youth and the population, ruining their physical and mental health, their identity as Albanians, their reputation”, said Berisha.

“In my capacity as a physician as well as a politician, I have read extensively about cannabis. I am totally aware that the oil of this plan is used for the relief of several circumstances like anxiety and pain. In this context, I would have no objection for cannabis prescript from a physician. But university studies have shown that cannabis creates serious problems, in structure and brain processing. It consists of over 50 chemical substances”.

“Legalizing cannabis in Albania, a country repeatedly labeled in the world media as the European Colombia or Cannabistan, means kicking the reputation of this country, making cannabis the symbol of Albania, which, in its biodiversity, has other plants that are tenfold more expensive than cannabis and with which a powerful cosmetic industry can be established”.

Berisha said Rama has decided to legalize cannabis for personal reasons and guaranteed that Rama’s act will harm Albania’s bid of integration in the European Union.

“I’d like to appeal to Albanians to object and do not support a destructive policy. With the legalization of cannabis, every existing barrier for that as a dangerous drug will be lifted”, warned Berisha.