Tilray Brands - German Cannabis Legalization Update Experts are calling for approval of the cannabis law
As of: February 21, 2024 1:00 p.m
The discussion about the planned partial legalization of cannabis continues: around 30 researchers and experts have now written an open letter calling on members of the Bundestag to approve the draft law this week.
In an open letter to members of the German Bundestag, around 30 researchers and experts are calling for the planned partial legalization of cannabis to be approved this week. This would “take an important step towards health protection, prevention and social justice,” says the letter, as reported by Deutschlandfunk .The initiator of the letter, Bernd Werse, head of the Center for Drug Research at the University of Frankfurt, also told Deutschlandfunk that most of the relevant experts were in favor of an end to the prosecution of users.
Given the many reports from the other side, it was important to him to make this clear. The letter was sent to the traffic light factions and the faction and group leaders of the other democratic parties. The majority of signatories were professors from the fields of law, sociology and psychology.
Final vote in the Bundestag planned for this week.
The Bundestag's Health Committee approved the legal plans with several changes this morning, according to committee circles.
They are expected to be decided by the plenary session on Friday.
The law must finally go to the Bundesrat. However, it does not require approval in the state chamber.
The experts' letter continues: "Experiences from other countries indicate that balanced partial legalization (as provided for in the CanG) will not result in an increase in consumption."
Fears about a strengthening of the profit-oriented black market are also untenable and unrelated to criminological drug market research.
Experts: Law could strengthen drug help workThreatening punishment doesn't help anyone - it criminalizes minors just as much as adults, the letter continues. "The current stigmatization often exacerbates psychological problems and discourages people from seeking help. According to the experts, the CanG will "strengthen the work of drug help services and encourage young people and parents to accept professional support earlier in the future."There is further criticism of the project from medical associations and domestic politicians from the federal and state governments, among others. The interior ministers of the federal states recently warned in a letter to the traffic light factions about the consequences of the planned cannabis legalization. “Serious negative effects” are to be feared.