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Christian Lindner is for hashish sales in pharmacies, but against "coffee shops"
Photo:
via www.imago-images.de / imago images / Mike Schmidt
Before the formation of a federal government in traffic light colors, a few hurdles still have to be overcome in the coalition talks.
In drug policy, however, the positions of the SPD, Die Grünen and FDP are not too far apart: cannabis could soon be legalized.
However, the parties still disagree on the question of where and to what extent sales can be made.
The head of the Liberals, Christian Lindner, has now spoken out in favor of selling cannabis products such as hashish in a controlled manner.
Consumers should "be allowed to buy a lot for their own use, for example in a pharmacy after health education," said Lindner on Sunday in the TV channel Bild.
Lindner viewed sales in “coffee shops” based on the Dutch model with skepticism: “I am in favor of a controlled delivery, and therefore a health education must be able to take place,” he said.
He is concerned with "crime and health prevention" and not with "the legalization of a right to intoxication".
So far, the sale of cannabis products has been officially prohibited in Germany.
Possibly, however, it should be legalized under a traffic light government made up of the SPD, the Greens and the FDP.
Ministry of Health and police unions against legalization
Representatives of some police unions warn against legalization.
Among other things, they argue that cannabis is an often trivialized drug that can lead to significant health problems and social conflicts, especially among young people.
The Federal Ministry of Health continues to speak out against the legalization of cannabis, a spokesman for Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) made clear.
Cannabis is a dangerous substance, so legalization is not advisable, he said.
In certain medical cases, the use of cannabis can help.
svs / AFP / dpa