The factions of the traffic light coalition made up of the SPD, FDP and Greens have agreed on a new cannabis law. The health policy spokeswoman for the SPD parliamentary group, Heike Baehrens, and the health policy speakers Andrew Ullmann (FDP) and Janosch Dahmen (Greens) spoke on Monday of a “paradigm change in cannabis drug policy”. This “explicitly recognizes the social reality,” emphasized the three parliamentary group representatives in a joint statement.
The plans stipulate that the law will be even less strict than previously planned by Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD). So far we were talking about half, i.e. 25 grams. Possession in private spaces should only be punishable from 60 grams and in public spaces from 30 grams.
Home cultivation and possession of certain amounts of the drug will be permitted for adults from April 1st next year. Cannabis clubs for collective cultivation should then be possible on July 1st.
According to the plans, minors will continue to be prohibited from possessing and consuming cannabis. Consumption should also not be permitted within 100 meters of schools and facilities for young people. The consumption ban was originally intended within a radius of 200 meters. Plans to offer cannabis for sale in selected and licensed stores will no longer be pursued, it said. “We have seen that an exclusive ban does not work,” explained Baehrens, Ullmann and Dahmen.
The focus now is on health protection and prevention, especially for children and young people. “Dealing with cannabis remains prohibited and the supply of cannabis to children and young people in particular will be rigorously prosecuted and punished.” The Bundestag must decide on the draft law.