The government wants to “regulate” consumption, sale and cultivation and stifle the black market with Europe’s most “liberalizing” law
Olaf Scholz’s election victory over the conservative bloc led to the formation of an unprecedented tripartite in Germany between Social Democrats, Greens and Liberals a year ago. The air of liberation was breathed, after the 16 years in power of conservative Angela Merkel. Greens Robert Habeck and Annalena Baerbock — now economics and foreign ministers, respectively — represented that new sky; liberal Christian Lindner seemed happy to take over Treasury, and Scholz represented a reassuring continuity in a way, as he was deputy chancellor in the last grand coalition led by Merkel.
The coalition pact that the three partners eventually signed on December 7, 2021 included the legalization of cannabis. At the head of Health Scholz, a doctor of medicine, Karl Lauterbach, put one of the most heard opinions at the height of the covid and defender of the line of maximum caution. In the past, he had opposed the legalization of cannabis and warned of the harm its use can cause to adolescents, including children. Over time, he had changed his mind.
Little of that liberating air, dynamism or relief is breathed now. The war in Ukraine fell in Europe eight months ago. The energy crisis has become a reality in a country that has had to rapidly reduce its extremely high dependence on Russia, citizens worry about whether they will have enough gas for the winter, industrial orders are falling, a recession is looming and Chancellor Scholz seems to to embark on the path of isolation from France. Instead of cohesion, the Franco-German axis, the European mainstay, is cracking.
In this context of pessimism, unimaginable a year ago, the doctor and health minister Lauterbach recaptured the chapter of the coalition pact related to cannabis. “The dose is what turns it into a poison,” he claimed when he presented the outline of what, if it gets the prior approval of Brussels, will be the most “liberalizing” bill in Europe. More than that of the Netherlands, more based on tolerance or decriminalization.
More than in Spain, which is preparing to legalize cannabis for medicinal purposes (which is already a reality in Germany). The consumption and possession of a maximum of 30 grams is permitted, as is the private cultivation of about three plants and sale in approved establishments. The term the minister uses is not “decriminalize”, but rather “regularize” consumption, sale and cultivation in order to stifle the black market, the current source of supply for those children or adolescents that Lauterbach says saves from addiction.
The conservative and Catholic state of Bavaria has shook hands and recalled Lauterbach’s arguments as a doctor against legalization. The pharmacists’ union is protesting with similar arguments, stating that alcohol and tobacco pose enough problems for the health of minors.
“Full legalization will violate European regulations,” Milena Hassenkamp, a legal expert, warned in the weekly ‘Der Spiegel’. Lauterbach warned precisely when presenting his main points (already approved by the Council of Ministers) that he will not bring a bill that has not previously been “positively received” in the European Commission.
In January, he will enter into “intensive” negotiations with the Brussels authorities. If it gets the green light, there will be a bill for the entire first quarter of 2023. There is no plan B for this process, the minister emphasized. Let no one rush: legalization, if there is one, will be in 2024. First, there must have been a long and complex regulatory process. Until then, the Germany that points to a recession and that does not see Scholz or his hopeful tripartite like a year ago will conduct an open debate that has nothing to do with gas, war or inflation.
Source: La Verdad
I am an experienced and passionate journalist with a strong track record in news website reporting. I specialize in technology coverage, breaking stories on the latest developments and trends from around the world. Working for Today Times Live has given me the opportunity to write thought-provoking pieces that have caught the attention of many readers.
