Germany Postpones Again Vote on Cannabis Legalization

Germany is not going to legalize cannabis this month. German lawmakers have decided to postpone the vote on cannabis legalization, which was originally scheduled to take place next week, before December 2023. The originally planned entry into force of the cannabis law on January 1st, 2024, will not happen. Experts predict that the bill will go into effect in March 2024.

Social Democratic Party (SPD) MP Carmen Wegge announced the delay, stressing the need for further work on the bill.

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This means that Germany will have to wait longer to legalize cannabis

“The decision on CannG will be made in December. This means that we are falling behind schedule. I know this is a huge disappointment for many. Therefore, this decision was not easy for anyone. However, well-designed improvements are in everyone’s interest.”

Kirsten Kappert-Gonther of the Green Party explained the delay as an opportunity to improve the bill. It is an attempt to ensure that the reform is implemented in a responsible and quality-focused manner.

The Bundesrat, the body representing the German states, will also have to adjust its actions to accommodate the delay in the Bundestag. This could affect the legislative timetable.

Despite the delay, some observers believe the reform may be introduced later than originally planned. This is generating mixed reactions in the public, with some feeling disappointment over the protracted process.

The bill calls for the legal possession of up to 25g of cannabis for personal use and the cultivation of up to 3 cannabis plants by adults, the creation of cannabis clubs, and a pilot program for commercial sales. It’s a comprehensive reform that will have a broad impact on national and European drug policy.

Coalition government leaders stress the need to educate the public about the dangers of cannabis use. They want to ensure that the legalization process in Germany will be accompanied by an educational campaign.

However, the process of legalizing cannabis in Germany has been met with resistance from many institutions, including doctors, judges, police, and medical organizations. This shows that the reform has its supporters, but also opponents.

There are also plans for commercial sales programs in cities across the country, which will be revealed once the idea is approved by the European Commission. This is the next step in the reform, which will affect the cannabis market in Germany.

Ultimately, the delay in the process of legalizing cannabis in Germany raises many questions about the future of drug policy and may affect when and how legalization will be implemented. This is a topic that will continue to be followed by the public and political observers.

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(Featured image by Aron Marinelli via Unsplash)

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First published in FaktyKonopne, a third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

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