Greens are putting pressure on Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) to advance cannabis legalization. Image: dpa / Fabian Sommer
Germany
The Greens want to go full throttle when it comes to the approval of cannabis in Germany. The agreed legalization is still progressing slowly. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) must now act promptly, the Greens are urging.
“The controlled release of cannabis is agreed in the coalition agreement. The Minister of Health must now present a draft law in a timely manner,” says Green Party health expert Kirsten Kappert-Gonther, who is responsible for cannabis in her group.
Will cannabis soon be available everywhere in Germany?
Kappert-Gonther did not want to make a prediction as to when it will be possible to legally buy cannabis in Germany. Until the Minister of Health presents a draft law, a statement about it is pure speculation. “I’m committed to making it happen as soon as possible,” she says. SPD, Greens and FDP had agreed in their coalition agreement to introduce “the controlled sale of the drug to adults for recreational purposes in licensed shops”.
Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) must now submit a draft law for legalization.Image: www.imago-images.de / imago images
Lauterbach presented the first concrete ideas for implementation in the fall. The next step would be a finished bill. However, it cannot be ruled out that the EU vetoed the German plans in a so-called notification procedure (examination). According to the Commission, these could contradict EU and international law.
The Union, which is against legalization, is counting on this.
EU law could stand in the way of cannabis legalization
“A possible notification procedure must not delay the process any further,” says Kappert-Gonther. EU law cannot be used as an argument to kill. The “forever” opponents of the project used this as a pretext. “The black market exacerbates the health risks of consumption.” With legalization, better health and youth protection will be possible. There is no disagreement with the international treaties on the goals.
Cannabis is particularly popular among young people. With a release, better protection of minors would be possible.Image: imago images/ Angel Colmenare
The Americans are leading the way – New Yorkers can now consume cannabis freely
Residents of New York can now legally buy cannabis for recreational purposes as of Thursday. The first retail outlet approved by the authorities opened in Manhattan. New York Governor Kathy Hochul spoke of a “milestone for the cannabis industry” in the US state.
Cannabis gummies in the display case of a New York store.Image: FR171756 AP / Stefan Jeremiah
The use of cannabis for adults 21 and older was legalized in New York State last year. Proponents of legalization have complained that, in the past, members of minorities and poorer people have been disproportionately punished for cannabis-related offences. The state is also benefiting from additional tax revenue from the cannabis trade and hopes to create tens of thousands of new jobs.
(With material from the dpa)
Eighteen women sit in a circle. In turn, each of them lights a candle. The tiny flames light up the room. The warm light nestles against the faces marked by life. The “mother circle” has been meeting in the evangelical church “Am Friedrichshain” for forty years.
