ARE GERMANY’S UPDATED CANNABIS LEGALISATION PLANS A STEP BACKWARDS?
Voteface
On 12th April 2023, Minister of Health, Dr. Karl Lauterbach, and Federal Minister of Food and Agriculture, Cem Özdemir, held a press conference to announce the updated German approach to legalised adult cannabis use.
Paul North and Katya Kowalski of Volteface sat down to debate the pros and cons of the proposed two tier action plan, which features a two-pillared approach to legalisation which permits non-commercial cultivation, both privately and as a part of cannabis social clubs (CSCs), and introduces a 5-year regional pilot project of licensed ‘specialist shops’.
Are Germany’s Updated Cannabis Legalisation Plans a Step Backwards?
Germany scales back cannabis liberalization after EU talks
BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s government presented scaled-back plans Wednesday to liberalize the country’s rules on cannabis, including by decriminalizing possession of limited amounts and allowing members of nonprofit “cannabis clubs” to buy marijuana for recreational purposes.
In a second step, German officials also envision setting up regional test projects to sell cannabis through “commercial supply chains,” Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said. But the proposal differs from one he presented in October, which foresaw allowing the sale of cannabis to adults across the country at licensed outlets.
Cannabis clubs plan dilutes German drugs reforms
Marijuana farms popping up all over Germany and joints served with coffee in Amsterdam-style cafes was what some voters imagined.
The government’s final bill on legalising cannabis is less dramatic.
Instead, the drug will be grown and sold in state-controlled non-profit “cannabis social clubs”.
Registered members will be able to buy a limited amount. Then the government plans to test the drug’s sale in licensed stores in some regions.
People will also be able to grow their own marijuana, but only three plants per person will be allowed.
German Officials Unveil Revised Plan To Legalize Marijuana – Marijuana Moment