German Government Accelerates the Legalization of Green Gold

The German government is looking to accelerate the legalization of cannabis with the announcement of a series of consultations. The hearings will focus on the measures necessary to ensure health and consumer protection, youth protection, supply chains, and ecological and economic issues. The legalization of cannabis is part of a broader series of reforms promised by the German government.

Announced a month ago by Karl Lauterbach, Health Minister for the German Government, the legalization of recreational cannabis is currently on the table, with the objective of adopting a bill before the end of 2022.

To follow the legalization of cannabis in Germany, along with all the latest from around the world, download our free cannabis news app.

German Government Wants to Make Cannabis Safe

“Cannabis but safe” (cannabis aber sicher). This is the straightforward slogan on which the German government is campaigning to legalize recreational cannabis across the Rhine. Announced in November 2021 when the program of the new ruling coalition was created, the project is accelerating.

This Tuesday, June 14, the German government began the first of a series of five hearings. The objective: to design the sales system and the organization of the territory with a view to soon distributing green gold in the country.

“Ensuring the Best Protection”

The Ministry of Health said on Tuesday that more than 200 representatives of the medical and legal sectors would participate in this series of consultations with the German Government. The auditions must be completed by the end of June.

“The five hearings, which will be held until the end of the month, will focus on the measures necessary to ensure the best protection,” said Burkhard Blienert, the federal drug commissioner (the German equivalent of our director of Mildeca, the interministerial mission to combat drugs and addictive behavior). They will focus on health and consumer protection, youth protection and prevention, supply chains, and ecological and economic issues.

The German government should also address the issue of criminalization, controls, and licensing to accompany the introduction of recreational cannabis distribution. Finally, during the last day of hearings, international experts will be consulted.

German Government Seeking “A Good Legal Basis”

On May 6, Blienert announced this major consultation without further details, indicating that the German Government had chosen to “bring together knowledge and experiences” while taking care “to address objections and reservations very openly. There is hardly any other drug policy topic that has preoccupied people so much for decades as cannabis,” he added, noting that he would support the legislative process technically and politically to ensure a “good legal basis.”

The German government’s project to legalize recreational cannabis is supported by the Minister of Health, Karl Lauterbach, who, last May, did not hesitate to mention his change of vision around the psychoactive plant. “I’ve changed my mind about it over the past two years. […] I have always been opposed to the legalization of cannabis, but I reconsidered my position about a year ago. I think the dangers of non-legalization are greater. […] The summer weather must be used to reform vigorously,” he told the German newspaper Handelsblatt.

The promise to legalize the controlled sale of cannabis to adults in licensed shops is part of a series of reforms included in the coalition agreement reached last year between the three parties that make up Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s German government.

—

(Featured image by Felix Mittermeier via Pexels)

DISCLAIMER: This article was written by a third-party contributor and does not reflect the opinion of Hemp.im, its management, staff, or its associates. Please review our disclaimer for more information.

This article may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “become,” “plan,” “will,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties, including those discussed in the following cautionary statements and elsewhere in this article and on this site. Although the Company may believe that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual results that the Company may achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the management of the Company only as of the date hereof. Additionally, please make sure to read these important disclosures.

First published by Libération, a third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

Although we made reasonable efforts to provide accurate translations, some parts may be incorrect. Hemp.im assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or ambiguities in the translations provided on this website. Any person or entity relying on translated content does so at their own risk. Hemp.im is not responsible for losses caused by such reliance on the accuracy or reliability of translated information. If you wish to report an error or inaccuracy in the translation, we encourage you to contact us.

Angelique Moss

Angelique Moss is a London-based entrepreneur, writer, and traveller. The world of business, finance, and technology, is her preferred cup of tea. She also writes about the developments and discussions on health, art, luxury and media. A top writer for several Medium publications, she has published hundreds of widely read articles on investing, stocks, global markets, cannabis, and technology for multiple platforms. She is also interested in culture, history, and social affairs.