drugs
Judges’ association reiterates criticism of cannabis plans
With cannabis legalization, the traffic light is planning a U-turn in drug policy. photo
© Sebastian Kahnert/dpa
The government is likely to initiate the U-turn on drugs in the new week. Criticism is once again loud in the run-up. Hesse’s Minister of Justice speaks of a “rotten compromise”.
Just before the consultation Cannabis legalization in the federal cabinet have again warned critics of the traffic light plans. The German Association of Judges criticized that the project would not relieve the judiciary – and also does not expect the black market to be pushed back.
The Hessian Justice Minister Roman Poseck (CDU) said: “The project is a rotten compromise that only produces losers.” Considerable additional work is to be expected for the judiciary and the security authorities.
The traffic light cannabis plans
The coalition of SPD, Greens and FDP wants to make possession and cultivation of cannabis exempt from punishment within limits. It is planned that the possession of up to 25 grams of cannabis for over 18-year-olds and the cultivation of a maximum of three plants for personal use should be permitted. There should not be a free sale of the drug in specialized shops. Instead, cannabis should be allowed to be grown and sold collectively in so-called cannabis clubs. The clubs and club members have to adapt to strict rules.
Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach had recently expected that the cabinet would deal with the draft law on Wednesday. There will be “small changes,” said the SPD politician in an interview a few days ago. He did not give details. Lauterbach’s appearance on the subject has been announced at the federal press conference for Wednesday after the cabinet meeting.
The draft is not suitable for achieving the goals declared by Lauterbach, said the national manager of the German Judges’ Association, Sven Rebehn, on Saturday. “In particular, the judiciary will not be relieved by the legislative plans, but rather an additional burden. The very detailed law would lead to a high level of official control, numerous new disputes and many procedures before the courts.”
The Federal Ministry of Health, on the other hand, expects the planned legalization of cannabis to save law enforcement agencies, courts and prisons costs of more than one billion euros per year.
The government argues that previous cannabis control policies have failed. With their project, the protection of minors should be increased, the black market should be pushed back and the ground should be cut from crime. Lauterbach has announced that it will accompany legalization with a prevention campaign to raise awareness of the risks of cannabis use.
Judges’ Association: Demand on the black market is likely to grow
Judges’ Association Managing Director Rebehn said it was unlikely that the black market would be pushed back by the traffic light plans. “In the future, the purchase and possession of up to 25 grams of cannabis should remain unpunished, regardless of the source. However, because there are a number of hurdles to growing yourself or purchasing from growers’ associations, demand on the black market is also likely to grow in the wake of the cannabis law.”
Hesse’s Justice Minister Poseck also sees serious legal risks in connection with the traffic light coalition project. “It is more than questionable whether the draft law conforms to European law,” he said.
In Berlin, meanwhile, hundreds of supporters of legalization took to the streets on Saturday at the traditional “Hempparade”. According to the police, around 500 to 600 participants marched through the city. Organizers have been demanding legal permission for drugs such as marijuana and hashish, which are derived from the cannabis plant, for many years. The “Hempparade” has been taking place since 1997, last year around 1500 people took part.