Bavaria Wants to Stop Cannabis Legalization in Germany

Germany is moving toward partial legalization of cannabis, but Bavaria is voicing strong opposition, saying the country is moving in the wrong direction. One minister, in particular, is taking a tough stance.

Klaus Holetschek sees no future for legalizing cannabis. The Bavarian health minister is undoubtedly the most vocal opponent of the bill, which is the flagship of the Ampel coalition, which seeks to legalize cannabis cultivation and subsistence consumption under certain conditions.

The bill is a “monster of bureaucracy,” the CSU politician thunders, claiming that the federal government is moving in the wrong direction in drug policy and that the risks are too great. Holetschek continually spouts his tirades against legalization.

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Holetschek versus cannabis legalization

“There is no misunderstanding here. I don’t want the legalization of cannabis. We don’t need legal recreational consumption, and therefore we don’t need cannabis clubs.” According to Holetschek, cannabis should remain illegal, preferably forever.

Holetschek is particularly intolerant of so-called cannabis clubs. It is through these associations that cannabis would be legally distributed, but no one would be able to make money from it.

“It is naive to think that through these cannabis clubs, the black market will disappear. Many experts believe that the black market will continue to flourish, especially for cheaper cannabis or cannabis with higher THC content.” Indeed, the benefit of the “light legalization” that Germany is currently pursuing is controversial. But is that a reason to abandon decriminalization altogether?

Problems with cannabis legalization according to Holetschk

Regarding the legalization of cannabis, Holetschek sees only problems, such as European law, the lack of protection for young people, and unclear rules for testing drivers for THC in their blood.

“According to the now-familiar version of the bill, driving under the influence of cannabis will still be punishable as a misdemeanor. However, the permissibility of driving should continue to be oriented solely towards road safety requirements, and the Ministry of Transportation should conduct an evaluation,” says the CSU politician. “This is irresponsible. It must be clear that driving is and will remain prohibited as long as THC is present in the blood.”

Dark times for Bavaria and Europe?

The Bavarian government not only foresees dark times for itself but fears that Germany’s new liberal drug policy will bring the entire continent down a dangerous path, according to Holetschk.

“Any form of legalization or even partial legalization in our country could send a signal to other countries,” said the CSU minister. “This is precisely why Germany should not follow obviously incompatible paths with international and European law, as is the case with the planned pilot projects. That would be groundbreaking for Europe, which is something no one should want.”

Bavaria versus cannabis legalization: The German debate continues

The debate over the legalization of cannabis in Germany is far from over, and Bavaria’s position – represented by Health Minister Klaus Holetschk – appears to be the toughest among representatives of all the states.

According to Holetschk, legalizing cannabis is a “monster of bureaucracy,” and the potential effects on communities, youth, and road safety are too great to risk. His concerns apply not only to Germany but to Europe as a whole, pointing to the possible consequences that legalizing hemp would have on other countries. Should Germany follow this path? The debate continues.

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(Featured image by flyupmike via Pixabay)

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