As of: February 24, 2024, 11:44 a.m
By: Stefan Krieger
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After a long debate, the Bundestag finally voted on the partial legalization of cannabis.
Historic decision: Bundestag decides on the controlled release of cannabis
Bundestag
decides on
the release of cannabis
: Traffic light coalition wants controlled legalization
Traffic light politicians
defend
plans to release cannabis
: “More protection and help”
This
news ticker on the debate about cannabis legalization
in the Bundestag is constantly updated.
Update from February 23rd, 4:26 p.m.:
After the Bundestag's decision, Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach expressed optimism that cannabis legalization will clear the last hurdle in the Federal Council.
He is confident that the Federal Council will see “that we are solving a problem that we have had for so long and which also directly affects the states,” said the SPD politician on Friday in Berlin.
“So I believe that we will also pass the law unchanged in the Bundesrat.” The state chamber is scheduled to finally deal with it on March 22nd.
It does not require approval, but the Federal Council could call the mediation committee with the Bundestag and slow down the process.
It is not the only point that still needs to be clarified.
Overall, the cannabis law delivers less than it once promised.
Read our commentary:
Overdue, but poorly done: This cannabis law makes dealers rejoice
.
Health Minister Karl Lauterbach speaks at the debate on the law on the controlled release of cannabis in the Bundestag.
© Serhat Kocak/dpa
Bundestag decides on controlled release of cannabis
Update from February 23rd, 3:55 p.m.:
The Bundestag has decided on the controlled release of cannabis in Germany.
Possession and cultivation of the drug should become legal for adults with requirements on April 1st, according to a law passed by a majority on Friday by the traffic light coalition.
407 MPs voted for it, 226 MPs voted against it, and there were 4 abstentions.
The law is expected to come before the Federal Council on March 22nd.
It does not require approval, but the state chamber could in principle call the mediation committee with the Bundestag and slow down the process.
The far-reaching break in drug policy was controversially discussed until recently.
Adults aged 18 and over should generally be allowed to possess up to 25 grams of cannabis for personal consumption.
Three live cannabis plants should become legal in your own home and up to 50 grams of cannabis for personal consumption.
Smoking weed in public spaces should be banned, among other things, in schools, sports facilities and within sight of them - specifically within 100 meters of the entrance area as the crow flies.
Non-commercial “cultivation associations” for adults should also be permitted, in which up to 500 members residing in Germany grow cannabis together and sell it to each other for their own consumption – a maximum of 50 grams per member per month.
No later than 18 months after the law comes into force, an initial assessment should be available on, among other things, how it affects the protection of children and young people.
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Union shoots against cannabis draft: “Completely unnecessary, confused law”
Update from February 23rd, 2:53 p.m.:
Union politicians have once again urged the Bundestag to vote against the planned legalization of cannabis in Germany.
The CDU health politician Simone Borchardt spoke in parliament on Friday of a “completely unnecessary, confused law”.
Doctors, police officers and psychotherapists warned about the plans - all of the federal states' interior ministers spoke out against them.
“And you, dear traffic light, still do what you want,” she said.
“The protection of children and young people is nothing more than mere lip service in your law.”
Borchardt said that the cultivation of cannabis at home, which was then permitted, could not be controlled.
This also applies to the plan to ban smoking weed in playgrounds, schools, children's and youth facilities and also within sight of them.
“I expect all MPs to show their colors here and today.
“You have to go back to your constituencies today and then everyone has to answer for their decision,” warned Borchardt.
“People want rules, security and order.
We are responsible for this here.”
Update from February 23rd, 2:35 p.m.:
At the start of the Bundestag debate on the partial legalization of cannabis, Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) once again defended his controversial proposed law.
“The situation we are in now is in no way acceptable,” said Lauterbach in his speech at the Friday plenary session.
The number of consumers between the ages of 18 and 25 has doubled in the past ten years.
The law creates a legal alternative to the “dangerous criminal black market”.
Divided opinion on the legalization of cannabis
Update from February 23rd, 2:10 p.m.:
According to a survey, citizens are divided on the issue of cannabis legalization.
In a survey by the polling institute YouGov, 42 percent said they were somewhat or completely in favor of legalization.
47 percent said they would somewhat or completely reject it.
11 percent did not comment on this, according to the survey that was available to the
German Press Agency
on Friday.
Update from February 23rd, 10:00 a.m.:
Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach sees the possible control effort as no argument against the planned partial legalization of cannabis in Germany.
“We have a certain level of control effort there, but it is within limits and I think that will settle in quickly,” Lauterbach told broadcaster
Phoenix
in the morning .
“The same argument was used at the time against the requirement to wear seat belts.” At that time, too, it was explained that the control effort required to wear seat belts in vehicles was far too high.
“Whenever an important, major law comes, we always have a control task, especially at the beginning.”
Bundestag decides on the release of cannabis: Traffic light wants controlled legalization
First report:
Berlin – The Bundestag will decide on the partial legalization of cannabis in Germany this Friday (February 23rd, 1:35 p.m.).
The traffic light coalition's legal plans provide for controlled release with numerous specifications and rules.
Cultivation and possession of certain quantities for personal consumption should therefore be permitted for adults from April 1st.
Clubs for non-commercial cultivation should be possible on July 1st.
The far-reaching turning point in drug policy remains controversial until the very end.
Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) expressed confidence that the law will be passed.
It would then come before the Federal Council on March 22nd, but it does not require approval.
The MPs should vote on the cannabis release by roll call.
Some parliamentarians from the ranks of the co-ruling SPD had made their objections clear in advance.
However, support from the ranks of the Left and the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance is also considered likely.
In a vote in the leading health committee, the SPD, Greens and FDP as well as the two groups also voted in favor.
The Union and the AfD have positioned themselves against the project and are also calling for a stop in their applications.
Cannabis release: This should be permitted by law
Adults aged 18 and over should generally be allowed to possess up to 25 grams of cannabis for personal consumption.
Three live cannabis plants should become legal in your own home and up to 50 grams of cannabis for personal consumption.
Public consumption should be banned, among other things, in schools, sports facilities and within sight of them - specifically within 100 meters of the entrance area as the crow flies.
“Growing associations” for adults should also be permitted, in which up to 500 members who live in Germany grow cannabis together and sell it to each other for their own consumption - a maximum of 50 grams per member per month.
No later than 18 months after the law comes into force, an initial assessment should be available on, among other things, how it affects the protection of children and young people.
Traffic light politicians defend plans to release cannabis: “More protection and help”
The federal government's drug commissioner, Burkhard Blienert, spoke of a new drug and addiction policy, "away from stigmatization and criminalization, towards more protection and help."
The main points are better health protection for people who want to consume cannabis over the age of 18, a push back on the black market and better prevention, the SPD politician told the
editorial network Germany
(RND/Freitag).
“I am convinced that anyone who is allowed to grow hemp themselves will no longer buy dangerous mixtures from dealers on the black market.” Lauterbach also recently promoted the plans, which are an important improvement in drug policy.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) told the Bavaria media group that the current situation was unacceptable.
“We all know that there are problems with dangerous toxic mixtures on the black market.
More control is needed here.” At the same time, more capacity is needed to fight organized drug crime.
Union criticizes Lauterbach and calls for cannabis rules for road traffic
The Union sticks to its line that partial legalization is a mistake.
“Studies show the sharp increase in cannabis consumption and increased dependence after legalization,” said CSU General Secretary Martin Huber to the
Funke media group
.
The traffic lights not only endanger the health of millions of teenagers and young adults, the judiciary and authorities warned of an immense administrative burden.
“A health minister who legalizes drugs is completely wrong in his job.”
Meanwhile, Bavaria is continuing to examine the possibility of filing a lawsuit against the law, as State Health Minister Judith Gerlach (CSU) said.
“Bavaria is determined to take a stand against the dangerous consumption of cannabis should the law come into force,” she told the
editorial network Germany
.
The CDU transport politician Florian Müller demanded in the
Rheinische Post
that further regulations should focus on road safety and the protection of children and young people.
“Smoking weed has no place behind the wheel.” Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) must ensure that.” Wissing’s house is currently having a group of experts determine how a legal limit for the intoxicating active ingredient THC could be set.
The results should be available in the spring.
At the weekend, the state interior ministers warned across party lines against legalization and questioned the possibilities for control.
“Serious negative effects on the fight against organized crime, the protection of children and young people and health protection” are to be feared.
In doing so, they addressed concerns that are also shared by medical associations, lawyers, criminal investigators and the police union.
(skr/dpa)