The federal government’s drug commissioner, Burkhard Blienert, has warned union-governed countries like Bavaria not to block planned pilot tests for commercial cannabis sales. “We will not allow model projects not to come about because they do not suit state governments due to ideological blindness,” Blienert told the editorial network Germany (RND).
The traffic light coalition will examine whether it is even necessary for the states to have a say in the legislation for the model tests, said the SPD politician. The Bavarian Health Minister Klaus Holetschek (CSU) had declared that there would be no model projects for the state-licensed cannabis trade with the Bavarian state government in the Free State. According to the report, the green-red town hall coalition in Munich had previously applied for the state capital to become a model municipality.
Blienert also called for funds in the tens of millions per year in order to expand prevention work for children and young people in parallel with the legalization of cannabis. “Legal by no means means harmless,” emphasized Blienert. This must be conveyed to the children and young people. It is about education and strengthening one’s own risk competence.
The so-called early intervention is also necessary if children or young people with problematic drug use are noticed. In all of this, the federal government has a duty and must ensure that the municipalities are not left alone.
In Germany, the possession of cannabis will soon be free of punishment. The traffic light wants to allow the possession of up to 25 grams of cannabis in the future. Growing a maximum of three plants yourself should also be legal. In addition, the federal government wants to enable the cultivation and sale of the drug in special associations. The originally planned free sale of cannabis for adults in specialist shops is only to be tested in a second step and initially in model regions with scientific support.
Blienert also wants to close gaps in advertising for tobacco products
The drug commissioner is also in favor of a ban on sweet or fruity flavors in e-cigarettes. Such flavors make the e-cigarette more attractive, especially for young people, but are also harmful to health, Blienert told the RND.
Blienert also advocated closing the last gaps in tobacco product advertising and sponsorship. Advertising for cigarettes, heaters and e-cigarettes at points of sale should be prohibited, as should the free sale of vaporizers, for example at festivals.
Blienert also wants to put a stop to sponsorship by tobacco manufacturers. The tobacco industry still spends around 250 million euros a year on advertising and sponsorship. “The goal must be to bring this amount as close to zero as possible,” he told the editorial network Germany.
Neutral packaging for tobacco products is also overdue. The SPD politician emphasized that he was already in talks on all points with the responsible Federal Minister of Agriculture, Cem Özdemir (Greens).
For tobacco heaters, the federal government had already introduced a ban on aromatic tobacco at the beginning of April. Before that, the ban on flavored tobacco products only applied to cigarettes and rolling tobacco. E-cigarettes contain liquid and no tobacco. Flavorings are often added to the so-called liquid. (AFP)
