While the project to legalize cannabis in Germany should be presented by the end of the year, the first economy in Europe began this month the hearings of more than 200 experts in addictions, medicine or law. to prepare for the legislative process.
In an interview with the German online news portal Web.de, Burkhard Blienert, Federal Government Commissioner for Addictions and Drugs, said that these consultations would pave the way for the presentation of a first piece of legislation for by October 2022, for first sales estimated on January 1, 2024, or even earlier.
Supply, the main stumbling block
Burkhard Niermann believes that one of the big problems the country will face is supplying the market from day one.
He declared to BusinessCann “The demand for 400 to 600 tons of dried flowers (per year) has to be met somehow. It will not be possible to cover this demand by national production, imports are necessary. »
“We must therefore find countries that share the same ideas and with which we can conclude international trade agreements, by legally modifying the regulations of the single conventions. »
The means by which Germany will legalize cannabis in the best respect of international and European conventions and regulations is proving to be a challenge.
Burkhard Blienert addressed this point in his interview on Web.de: “The protection of consumer health must be the focus. And no one can say anything against health protection.”
He added: “Across Europe we have a debate about how to deal with cannabis. This is why we are also putting the international question on the agenda of the consultation process. We need a solution as to how the whole can be organized within the framework of European and international law. »
“It will represent a huge diplomatic effort for German government authorities, in particular to convince member states and EU officials that a licensed supply chain would not violate EU regulations. »
When Canada and Uruguay legalized cannabis for adult use, they were threatened with sanctions by the International Narcotics Control Board, without any punitive measures being taken.
In a recent report, Kenzi Riboulet-Zemouli highlighted the potential leeway in international conventions to allow countries to regulate uses other than medical and research.
