Almost every tweet by finance minister and FDP leader Christian Lindner becomes commented with the words: “When Bubatz legal”. For people who would also have to google what this bubatz is supposed to be: users ask this question when the traffic light government will legalize cannabis. Whereby the question mark is often omitted, which suggests an appellative character of the bottom commentary.
Karl Lauterbach is rarely sent this sentence, although the Ministry of Health, which is headed by the SPD politician, is in charge of drafting the cannabis legalization bill. Lauterbach has often answered the question of when Bubatz should become legal: he wants to present at least the corresponding draft law around the turn of the year.
This week, the first key points became public as to what cannabis legalization in Germany could look like: people over the age of 18 would then be able to buy 20 grams or grow up to two plants at home. Many details are still open – they have to be clarified well.
The traffic light government already decided in the coalition agreement that cannabis should be legalized. That’s a right decision. Prohibition doesn’t mean people won’t use cannabis. The drug finds its own market, and if it is banned, it’s an illegal market. Violent criminals then control it, who earn billions with it and invest it in other crimes. It is better not to leave cannabis to the underworld.
Poorly done legalization, however, can act as a stimulus package for organized crime. Unfortunately, that’s what happened in the Netherlands, which is already known as a “narco-state”. Cannabis cultivation is not allowed in the neighboring country. Therefore, the drug mafia earns a lot of money with illegal hemp plantations – and cooks chemical drugs in the neighboring building. In order for this business to continue, the criminals are threatening the Dutch crown princess, and the prime minister is also said to be a target.
To ensure that cannabis legalization in Germany does not allow crime to flourish, it is right to rely on legal cannabis cultivation in Germany. Every link in the value chain must be licensed and controlled by the state. Hemp regulators need enough officials and resources to strictly enforce all rules. This can be financed well by the licenses and a cannabis tax.
In order not to leave any loopholes in cultivation, the Ministry of Health apparently does not want to allow imports. Within the European Union, with its open borders, this is of course always a tricky one. But cannabis is not a commodity like cars or cheese. The health and safety of people come first. Accusing Germany of protectionism here is an exaggeration. Despite the Bubatz hype, only a small cannabis industry would emerge in this country. economists estimatelegalization could create around 28,000 jobs.
It is becoming difficult to make the drug appropriately attractive under government supervision. If the dealer has the stuff cheaper and faster, nobody goes to the legal shops. On the other hand, if legalization makes the offer too cheap or too good, consumption increases more than at illegal times, which would be bad in terms of health policy.
The art of legislation will be to find this balance. If in doubt, the law can come a few months later if it gets better. Christian Lindner will be able to read “When Bubatz legal” a little longer.