The legalization of cannabis that was initiated by the traffic lights was actually supposed to come into force this year. But nothing will come of it, as Health Minister Lauterbach has now confirmed.
Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has confirmed that the cannabis legalization initiated by the traffic lights will not come as planned at the turn of the year. The substantive debate on this has been concluded, “even if it does not come into force on January 1st,” the SPD politician told the “Tagesspiegel”. “The start to cannabis legislation will be a success.”
Deadline for Federal Council too tight
It had previously been said from circles in the traffic light factions that the implementation would not work at the turn of the year. Accordingly, it is planned to pass the law in the last week of the Bundestag session this year between December 13th and 15th. Afterwards, it is still the Federal Council’s turn and the deadlines are too tight for the last Federal Council meeting of the year on December 15th, it was said.
Although the plans do not require approval in the state chamber, it must discuss them, like any other law. The next Federal Council meeting will be on February 2, 2024. It would only come into force afterwards.
Topic still controversial
The draft law proposes to remove cannabis from the list of prohibited substances in the Narcotics Act. Adults aged 18 and over should be allowed to possess 25 grams. A maximum of three plants should be allowed to be grown privately. In cannabis clubs, club members should be allowed to grow the drug together and distribute it to each other.
At an expert hearing in the Bundestag, it became clear once again how controversial the topic is. Medical associations, police unions and the German Association of Judges had made it clear their rejection of the release, while addiction experts and reform-oriented lawyers had spoken of the need for decriminalization.