As of: February 25, 2024, 7:03 p.m
By: Andreas Schmid
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Press
Split
The cannabis law is coming, but the traffic light was actually planning a different legalization.
What does this law mean for the black market and child protection?
The traffic light sets the course for a fundamentally new drug policy: On Friday, the coalition in the Bundestag voted for the cannabis law.
The Cannabis Act decriminalizes the drug and allows its cultivation.
However, the law has shortcomings when it comes to combating the black market.
Cannabis law: This is planned
Essentially, the Cannabis Act provides for the following points: Cannabis is removed from the list of prohibited substances in the Narcotics Act.
Possession of a certain amount is also permitted.
From now on you are allowed to carry 25 grams in public and 50 grams at home. Private cultivation as well as cultivation and distribution in cultivation associations, the cannabis clubs, are also permitted for adults.
A club may have a maximum of 500 members and distribute a maximum of 25 grams of cannabis in one day and a maximum of 50 grams per member per month.
For 18 to 21 year olds, 30 grams per month with a maximum of ten percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the substance with the intoxicating effect, should be permitted.
The clubs must be organized as non-commercial associations and require a permit that is valid for a limited period of time.
The attached building may not be an apartment and may not have conspicuous signs.
Advertising is taboo, including cannabis consumption directly on site.
Cultivated areas and warehouses must be secured, and rules should apply to transport.
The traffic light was actually planning a different cannabis legalization
Actually, the traffic light had something else in mind.
The coalition agreement spoke of the “controlled supply of cannabis to adults for recreational purposes in licensed shops”.
Karl Lauterbach and Co. have long since said goodbye to this plan - also because of EU law.
This also leaves it questionable whether the coalition will even achieve one of its core goals: curbing the black market.
From now on, stoners have two options: grow it themselves or become a club member.
If you don't want that or just want to spontaneously smoke a joint on the weekend, your only option is still the black market.
Cannabis law especially helps heavy users
Also means: This law primarily helps heavy consumers.
With decriminalization you will no longer be stigmatized and prosecuted.
This is nothing less than a drug policy revolution.
Burkhard Blienert, the federal government's drug commissioner, also explained this in an interview with our editorial team:
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Mr. Blienert, many people expected it to be easy and legal to buy weed. A two-pillar model with cannabis clubs is now initially planned. What does someone do if they spontaneously want to smoke a joint on the weekend but are not a club member? Then the only way is to go to the dealer?
“Yes, that’s why we have to tackle the second pillar, and with it health protection for occasional users too. So that no one who really wants to consume and can't be dissuaded from having to buy stretched weed from the dealer on the street corner. We finally have to honestly admit that cannabis is not only consumed by a few people in Germany, but by several million.”
Burkhard Blienert in an interview with IPPEN.MEDIA in January.
© Yvonne Reissig
The traffic light vehemently defends its law on this point.
Health Minister Karl Lauterbach even wants to curb two-thirds of the black market.
The ultimate goal is to curb illegal cannabis sales through controlled distribution, he recently said on the Phoenix station.
More and more young people are consuming cannabis, sometimes with toxic concentrations and additives.
“We have a black market that specifically tries to reach young people, get them addicted and switch them to other drugs.” Lauterbach summarized his plan as follows: “Partial legalization combined with harsher penalties for dealing with children and young people, one [Consumption] ban among children and young people and better education – that could be one way.”
Cannabis and child protection: “There is legitimate advice from a medical perspective”
In addition to the black market aspect, there is another point of criticism: the protection of minors.
Children's and youth associations argue that excessive cannabis consumption is harmful for young people and can, for example, trigger psychosis.
Blienert says: “There is legitimate evidence from a medical perspective that cannabis consumption under the age of 25 can be extremely unhealthy and associated with long-term psychological and physical damage.
This is particularly due to the fact that the brain has not yet fully matured.” Nevertheless, the law strengthens the protection of minors.
“There are a lot of people in the 18 to 25 age group who consume cannabis and they would all continue to go to the dealer who sells them much more dangerous cannabis,” says Blienert.
Lauterbach also said during the debate in the Bundestag that the law strengthens the protection of minors.
“The data we have from Canada and Colorado show that legalization there has not led to an increase in consumption among young people.” Cannabis is already legal there.
With this law you follow science, says Lauterbach.
The minister, once an opponent of legalization himself, was unable to convince his critics.
The debate in the Bundestag was characterized by heckling (“fake news”) and headwinds.
Ultimately, a majority in the Bundestag voted for it.
The Left also supported the cannabis law with 407 yes votes, 226 no votes and four abstentions.
Overall, the cannabis law delivers less than it once promised.
Read our commentary:
Overdue, but poorly done: This cannabis law makes dealers rejoice
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