The timetable for the legalization of cannabis in Germany is becoming clearer. According to information from Spiegal, the revised legalization project should be presented to the government by mid-August.
“I expect the bill to reach us in parliament at the latest after the non-session period,” said Katja Mast, parliamentary secretary of the SPD group in the Bundestag, which corresponds to the middle of August . The project is currently being coordinated between ministries.
The key points presented in April by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) and Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens) constitute, according to Katja Masta, “a very good basis”.
A revised legalization project
Originally, Ampel had planned a complete legalization of cannabis, with controlled sales in specialized stores. Just last fall, Lauterbach announced extended legalization.
Germany has nevertheless faced the approval of the European Union which considers for the moment that a complete legalization of cannabis is not compatible with EU rules.
The ruling coalition has therefore worked on a lighter cannabis legalization project, which Lauterbach and Özdemir presented in mid-April.
Cannabis would initially be removed from the Narcotic Control Act and possession of up to 25 grams should be permitted. Individuals would be allowed to grow 3 or 4 plants and a network of Cannabis Social Clubs would provide access to cannabis through their traditional membership system.
In a second step, the commercial cultivation and sale of cannabis under license in specialized points of sale or in pharmacies would be tested for five years in pilot regions and under scientific control, in order to respect the spirit of the International Conventions.
Several points are still under discussion. Lauterbach, for example, wants to ban the sale ofedibles, cannabis-infused foods. Some members of the FDP and the Greens consider this form of cannabis consumption to be less harmful than combustion and would therefore like to allow them.
For the model regions, a second draft law will be necessary and will have to be examined by the EU.
“We are counting on the draft law on regional and municipal pilot projects in the fall,” said Katja Mast. We want “a paradigm shift in drug policy”.
“For us, the legalization of cannabis is not only a matter of justice, but is necessary in particular in the light of the protection of children and young people as well as the protection of health”.
