25-Year Fight for Compensation Over Hemp Beer Production Closure Continues

For over 25 years, Zemir Begić has been fighting a legal battle against the state, seeking compensation for damages he attributes to government actions that shut down his hemp beer production. His company, Mery Jane, was forced to close after a health inspector in 1998 prohibited the production of his beer, citing concerns about potentially harmful cannabinoid substances.

Begić's legal efforts saw a glimmer of hope last April when the Ljubljana Higher Court partially granted his appeal. This decision overturned a lower court's ruling and awarded him partial compensation for his house, which he lost during an enforcement procedure. However, this victory was short-lived as the Supreme Court recently rejected his proposal for a review of the case.

The consequences of the state's intervention, according to Begić, were devastating. He states that the closure of his business left him without assets, severely impacted his health, and destroyed his family. The protracted legal struggle, spanning more than two decades, highlights the enduring challenges faced by individuals seeking redress from state actions.