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It will take longer than planned for cannabis to be legalized
Photo: Jim Mone / AP
German cannabis enthusiasts will probably have to wait a little longer before they can legally sell their plants to the public. The cannabis legalization, originally planned for the turn of the year, is likely to be postponed, as the dpa news agency has learned from circles of the traffic light parliamentary groups. Accordingly, it is planned to pass the law in the Bundestag in the last session week of the year between 13 and 15 December. After that, however, the ball is still in the Federal Council's court and the deadlines for the last Federal Council meeting of the year on 15 December are too tight, it was said.
Although the plans are not subject to approval by the Länder Chamber, it must discuss them, as with any other law. The next Federal Council meeting will then be on 2 February 2024. It would only be possible to enter into force afterwards. In traffic light circles, April 1 was mentioned as a possible date.
The bill provides for the removal of cannabis from the list of prohibited substances in the Narcotics Act. For adults aged 18 and over, the possession of 25 grams is to be allowed. Privately, a maximum of three plants should be allowed to be grown. In cannabis clubs, club members should be allowed to grow the drug together and give it to each other.
At a recent expert hearing in the Bundestag, it became clear once again how controversial the topic is. Medical associations, police unionists and the German Association of Judges had made clear their rejection of the release. Addiction experts and reform-minded lawyers had spoken of the need for decriminalization.
The Bundestag will meet again at the end of November before its last week of session in December. However, this plenary week is reserved for budget discussions. Other laws are usually not on the agenda during budget weeks.
czl/dpa