Cannabis Legalization
Chancellor Scholz: “I’ve never smoked a joint – not even a single puff”
Chancellor Olaf Scholz has a clean record when it comes to smoking weed
© Adam Berry / AFP
Olaf Scholz’s government paves the way for the partial legalization of cannabis. The topic is new territory for the Chancellor – he himself has no experience with hashish consumption.
Regarding the planned partial legalization of cannabis by the traffic light coalition, Scholz said that he had “made it very difficult” with it. But he believes “that we are doing exactly the right thing with this cautious step that we are taking,” said Scholz. “But if someone asks me, should I or shouldn’t I, I would always say: nope.”
Federal cabinet initiates legalization of cannabis
According to the “ARD Deutschlandtrend”, the partial release of cannabis for private use planned by the government has met with a mixed response from citizens. In the middle and lower age groups, half support the plans. Among the over-65s, it is only about one in three.
The federal cabinet approved the partial release of cannabis for private use on Wednesday. Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) had emphasized that the aim of the draft law was no longer cannabis consumption, but “we want to limit consumption and make it safer”. When asked, the health minister admitted to having consumed hashish himself.