Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

You may inhale: German Cabinet backs plan to legalize cannabis

You may inhale: German Cabinet backs plan to legalize cannabis

Germany to run reform plan past European Commission.

The German government backed a plan presented by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach on Wednesday to legalize cannabis, but the European Commission will get a say on whether it can become law.

The fate of the reform is being closely watched around Europe where only a handful of countries, like Portugal, have already liberalized rules governing pot — and by the North American cannabis industry, which has scented a market opportunity.

Lauterbach told reporters that the so-called cornerstone paper details the conditions under which cannabis can be legally produced and sold, and how to regulate possession. He added that he does not want to sell this paper as a “major breakthrough in drug policy” as it still has to be confirmed that this complies with international and European law.

“We want to decriminalize the use of cannabis in order to achieve better protection for children and young people, but also better health protection,” Lauterbach told a press conference, saying that rising consumption was being enabled by a flourishing black market.

The plan approved by Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Cabinet would decriminalize the possession of 20 to 30 grams of cannabis by adults. It would also be legal to cultivate up to three cannabis plants at home, which is more than what an earlier paper that was leaked last week, proposed.

Moreover, a 15 percent limit on the psychoactive substance THC that was included in the earlier leaked draft was dropped. Instead, the paper now states that a limit on THC content would only be set for 18- to 21-year-olds, citing the increased risk of cannabis-related brain damage in adolescence.

Cannabis would be sold in licensed shops and, potentially, in pharmacies. Also under consideration are “specialty stores with consumption options” — or Dutch-style coffee shops. Germany has allowed the sale of medical cannabis in pharmacies since 2016.


Homegrown


The plan proposes that demand should be met by production in Germany, which is likely to disappoint producers from North America looking to supply from their existing production.

Lauterbach also addressed concerns that legalizing cannabis would violate Germany’s European commitments, part of a wider agenda that has until now sought to curb illicit trade in narcotics and drug tourism.

He said the plan would be sent to the European Commission for a preliminary review on whether it is in line with EU law. “If this preliminary examination clearly showed that this path would not be viable for the European Commission, then we would not develop a bill on this basis either,” Lauterbach said.

Depending on the outcome of that review, draft legislation could be readied in the first quarter of next year, he said.

Lawmakers from Scholz’s Social Democrat-led coalition government said that the latest draft represented an improvement on the earlier version. Kirsten Yet Kappert-Gonther, vice chair of parliament’s health committee from the Greens, also cautioned in comments emailed to POLITICO that excessive restrictions on sales risked encouraging the black market for strong cannabis.

Kristine Lütke, drug policy spokesperson for the liberal Free Democratic Party (FDP), was less positive, saying the draft “falls short of providing effective and good youth, health, and consumer protection, while at the same time reining in the black market.”

Stephan Pilsinger of the Bavaria-based conservative opposition party, the Christian Social Union, said government plan would miss its goal of eradicating the black market and predicted that the European Commision would oppose it.

AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Cardinal Robert Prevost Elected as Pope Leo XIV, Marking a Historic Papacy
India-Pakistan conflict may be first test for Chinese military tech
Bill Gates Announces Plan to Wind Down Philanthropic Foundation and Disperse Wealth
Historic Papal Conclave Set to Commence in Rome
“Trump Supporter” Aims to Bring a MAGA-Style Shift to Romania
Common Sense Returns to Britain's Legal System: UK Supreme Court Declares a Woman Is… a Woman
EU Hits TikTok with €530 Million Fine Over China Data Transfers
Beijing Says U.S. Is ‘Reaching Out’ for Tariff Talks Amid Soaring Trade Tensions
Warren Buffett to Step Down as Berkshire CEO After Nearly 60 Years
Trump Shares AI-Generated Image of Himself as… Pope, Prompting Outrage Reaction
Germany's Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party has now been officially labeled “right-wing extremist” by the federal office for the so-called “protection of the constitution.”
Amazon Launches Satellite Internet Service Amidst Competition with SpaceX
Transformative Changes in Women's Wrestling: The Rise of WWE Superstars
The Rush to the White Gold: Global Investment Surge in Natural Hydrogen Exploration
This is a day in Spain without electricity and internet
Trump Administration Removes National Security Adviser Mike Waltz Amid Signal Chat Controversy
U.S. Economy Shrink in Trump’s First Quarter as Tariff Policy Raises Questions
U.S. and Ukraine Poised to Sign Strategic Critical Minerals Deal Amid Geopolitical Shifts
Spain Restores Power After Unprecedented Nationwide Blackout
Liverpool Clinches Record-Equalling 20th English League Title Under Arne Slot
How do you fix this culture?
Corrupted from Within: How Deep State Power and Unelected Judges Hijacked Democracy Against the Will of the People
President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky just held an impromptu discussion on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral in Rome.
World Leaders Gather in Rome for Pope Francis's Funeral
Pope Francis Laid to Rest in Rome as World Leaders Attend Funeral
Not Child’s Play: How Competitive Gaming Became a Global Economic Empire
California Surpasses Japan to Become the World’s Fourth-Largest Economy
Peter Navarro: The Man Behind Trump’s Tariff Madness
Former U.S. Congressman George Santos sentenced to eighty-seven months for wide-ranging fraud
Pope Francis: head of the Catholic church who pushed for social and economic justice
China do not pay these tariffs - you pay it. This is new 145% tax you pay to the US government.
Cultural Battles in the Vatican: The Candidates in the Battle for the Holy See and Pope Francis's Testament
Global Leaders Pay Tribute to Pope Francis Following His Death
Wild Chimpanzees Observed Bonding Over Alcoholic Fruit
Greek Christians Celebrate Easter in Thessaloníki
US Federal Reserve Chair Issues Warning on Tariff Impact
China, China, China!
Pope Francis Makes Brief Appearance at Easter Sunday Mass
Saudi Arabia Offers Max Verstappen Unprecedented Deal to Join Aston Martin
Global Pistachio Shortage Amid Rising Demand for 'Dubai Chocolate'
Trump is assembling a coalition of Western leaders aligned with the MAGA vision, strengthening a unified front for global change
IMF Predicts No Global Recession Amid Trade Tensions
Alphabet Faces Antitrust Setbacks as Federal Judges Rule Against Google
US Billionaires Call for Higher Taxes, but Proposed 'Millionaires Tax' May Not Achieve Desired Outcome
This is Vienna, Austria in 2025.
Designed in US, made in China: Why Apple is stuck in tariff tussle
Boeing Jet Returns to US from China Amid Tariff War
US Sets Deadline for Russia-Ukraine Peace Deal Brokerage
Italy Introduces 'Sex Rooms' in Prisons for Inmates
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni Meets with Donald Trump to Discuss EU-US Trade Tensions
×