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Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) at the end of the cannabis hearing
Photo: Kay Nietfeld / dpa
Drugs are legal in Germany - at least when it comes to alcohol and cigarettes.
The traffic light would like to expand the package, the controlled release of cannabis is agreed in the coalition agreement.
Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) has now commented at the end of a series of expert hearings on when and how legalization can become possible.
In Berlin, Lauterbach spoke out clearly in favor of an unpunished, controlled release of the intoxicant.
However, the most important principle in the release must be: "Safety First".
The focus of the planned new regulation must be the protection of children and young people, said Lauterbach.
Because cannabis abuse can "destroy a life before it has really started" in young people.
The concluding specialist conference was preceded by four expert hearings organized by the Federal Ministry of Health.
There, more than 200 experts from various disciplines exchanged views on the pros and cons of cannabis legalization.
The results of the consultations should now be evaluated and introduced into the legislative process, explained the Federal Government Commissioner for Addiction and Drug Questions, Burkhard Blienert (SPD).
»In the hearings we received exactly the valuable input that we had hoped for.«
Lauterbach admitted that he "long thought that cannabis shouldn't be legalized."
But he changed his mind: "The repressive approach to cannabis has failed," he said.
"The risks of current practice are greater than what could be achieved with a controlled levy."
Cloth sold illegally becomes more impure
According to Lauterbach, there are currently more and more harmful contaminants in illegally traded cannabis.
In the case of a legal levy, however, the quality can be controlled.
In addition, the illegal cannabis market is "more and more aggressive";
People are introduced to the drug at a young age.
The minister made it clear: »What we do not want is that we play down cannabis.« Cannabis is always associated with health risks, from which children and young people in particular must be protected.
Young people in particular could "very often fall by the wayside in terms of school and professional training" when consuming cannabis, says Lauterbach.
Lauterbach referred to his own childhood experiences with cannabis in his environment: "Good friends of mine became addicted, later switched to other drugs and died."
The traffic light parties want to present a draft law by the end of the year;
the results are to be evaluated after four years.
Most federal states already waive criminal prosecution for possession of small amounts of cannabis.
mrc/AFP