In a scathing press conference, Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha accused Prime Minister Edi Rama of authorizing the illegal cultivation of 29,300 hectares of cannabis in what he calls a flagrant violation of Albanian law and international conventions. The alleged scheme, Berisha claims, took place during the electoral year and involved a market value of €10 billion.
“The law passed by the government permits just 200 hectares for cultivation nationwide,” Berisha emphasized. “Yet in an election year, that number has been inflated over 100 times, enveloping Albania in cannabis plantations.”
Accusations of Electoral Abuse
Berisha described the move as part of what he called a broader “narcostate strategy” employed during the May 11, 2025 local elections, accusing Rama of using state tools for political gain.
“This was not just illegal — it was deliberate electoral manipulation through drug money,” Berisha stated. “With tens of millions of cannabis plants, the state stood to gain billions, all at the expense of law, order, and international credibility.”
Violation of National and International Norms
According to Berisha, the licenses directly contradict the government’s own legislation, which limits cannabis cultivation to strictly controlled medical and industrial use. He argues that such a mass expansion violates both national laws and international drug control treaties to which Albania is a signatory.
No Response Yet from Government
As of this writing, the government has not issued an official response to Berisha’s claims. The allegations come amid heightened political tensions following the local elections, where Rama’s Socialist Party claimed victory in the majority of municipalities.
