Minister of Justice Buschmann promises cannabis legalization as early as "spring 2023" - that speaks against it

Created: 05/10/2022 05:27

By: Kathrin Reikowski

A man holds a joint in his hand.

© Fabian Sommer/dpa/Illustration

Cannabis legalization in Germany: Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann (FDP) promises a quick law.

But there is a UN hurdle.

Berlin - "The legalization of cannabis is coming," promises Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann (FDP) on Twitter.

And already sets a schedule: “Karl Lauterbach wants to present a draft law in 2022.

It is realistically possible to implement the law by spring 2023.”

The legalization of cannabis, which is part of the coalition agreement between the SPD, the Greens and the FDP, apparently cannot go fast enough.

Buschmann goes one better: "We're even trying to get it done earlier: Normally, such a law takes six to nine months."

Cannabis legalization in Germany: Germany would have to withdraw from a UN agreement

What stands in the way of legalizing cannabis?

Lawyers see Germany facing problems before legalizing cannabis.

Because: Germany would have to withdraw from a United Nations agreement by the end of June.

The Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs has regulated the availability of some drugs, such as cannabis, since 1961.

Germany is bound by it.

But while countries like Uruguay or Canada ignore this regulation, experts do not consider this path likely for Germany.

However, the surprisingly tight schedule is probably due to precisely this scenario: if Germany submits a draft law by July 1, 2022, you can withdraw from the agreement on January 1, 2023.

Legal cannabis in Germany?

Bushman brakes on Twitter

On Twitter, reactions to Buschmann's advance are divided.

While some users accuse him that there are currently more urgent problems in view of the Ukraine war, another user accuses him of quickly making a new election promise before the election in NRW.

For others, things can't move fast enough - they are calling for the immediate decriminalization of cannabis possession.

So that consumers, until legalization takes effect, are not threatened with criminal proceedings that are unnecessary from their point of view because of the possession of small quantities.

Buschmann's team replies: "First of all, a first draft law must be available.

It usually takes six to nine months to implement this - we try to do it faster.

There are still a few open questions that need to be clarified." (kat)