The German Government Has Reached an Agreement on Cannabis Legalization

The traffic light coalition has resolved disputes over the planned cannabis legalization in Germany. The law may enter into force on April 1st, vice-chairmen of parliamentary groups told the DPA news agency. However, the bill must first pass the Bundestag. Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach (SPD) has set a week between February 19th and 23rd in which the law is to be adopted by parliament.

The cannabis ban is likely to be lifted on April 1st, allowing adults to grow three cannabis plants at home and possess 30 grams in a public place and/or 60 grams at home, while cannabis clubs will be allowed from July 1st.

Read more about the legalization of cannabis in Germany and find other important cannabis news with the Hemp.im mobile app.

For the German government coalition, the cannabis legalization for personal use represents a significant milestone in modern drug policy

The leaders of the so-called The Coalition of Light, formed by the Greens, the Social Democratic Party of Germany and the Liberals, announced last week that they had reached an agreement on the cannabis legalization after disagreements over the details of the proposed law. The bill will be put to a vote this month and is scheduled to enter into force on April 1st.

The development paves the way for the cannabis legalization for personal use. If there are no further delays, Germany is on track to become the third European Union member state to legalize cannabis for personal use, after Malta and Luxembourg .

The breakthrough came after internal disagreement and criticism from the SPD regarding the details of the bill. Although the leaders of the government coalition have officially reached an agreement on legalization, some SPD MPs are still opposed.

For example, Sebastian Fiedler told the German news site Der Spiegel that he would vote against legalization. He argues that legalizing cannabis could ” lead to the decriminalization of dealers and pointless additional work for the police .”

Sebastian Hartmann, domestic policy spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group, also told Zeit Online that he would not support reform in the Bundestag and could not support the proposed plan.

“The coalition agreement originally provided for the controlled delivery of cannabis in certified stores, but the current law shifts this supply to the private sector and therefore to uncontrollable,” he said.

The road to cannabis legalization in Germany has encountered several obstacles

Initially, the government coalition had to change its plan, which originally included the sale of cannabis in licensed stores, because the European Commission found it would violate EU rights. Secondly, it was criticized by opposition parties who tried to block the proposed law.

For the German government coalition, cannabis legalization for personal use represents a significant milestone in modern drug policy, emphasizing prevention and improving the health and protection of children and young people.

However, the proposed law , introduced last year by federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, could be further amended slightly to address concerns raised by the SPD, potentially including expanding and accelerating monitoring and reporting obligations regarding the illicit market.

“ Last evening we agreed on the final details of the legalization of cannabis. The fight against the black market, decriminalization and better protection of minors will take place as announced. Previous drug policy failed, a new beginning,” Lauterbach said on X.

Lawmakers recently amended the law, easing restrictions that were opposed by advocates and supporters in the Bundestag. The changes included raising home possession limits and eliminating the possibility of jail time for slightly exceeding the possession limit.

The German government coalition also plans to introduce a complementary law that will establish pilot programs for commercial sales , to be disclosed once presented to the European Commission.

The last reading in the Bundestag is expected to take place between February 19th and 23rd. The bill is scheduled to be adopted in the week of February 19, before reaching the Bundesrat on March 22nd.

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(Featured image by Felix Mittermeier via Pixabay)

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