Luxembourg has called on its EU neighbours to relax their drug laws as it confirmed plans to become the first European country to legalise cannabis production and consumption. Health Minister Etienne Schneider declared, “The drug policy that we have had over the past 50 years did not work. Forbidding everything just made it more interesting to young people, so we are instituting a more open-minded attitude toward drugs.” A government coalition agreement between the Liberals, Social Democrats and Green parties provides for full legalization by 2024. Luxembourg had already legalised the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes, and possession of small amounts for recreational use had also been decriminalised, but its purchase, sale and production remains illegal.