Cannabis legalization likely to be postponed
The legalization of cannabis originally planned for the turn of the year is likely to be postponed. This was revealed to the Deutsche Presse-Agentur by the parliamentary parties of the "traffic light" coalition.
The plan is to pass the law in the Bundestag in the last week of the year between December 13 and 15. However, the Bundesrat will then have to take its turn and the deadlines for the last Bundesrat session of the year on December 15 are too tight, it was said.
Although the plans do not require the approval of the Upper House, it must discuss them, just like any other law. The next Bundesrat meeting is then on February 2, 2024, after which the law could come into force. In traffic light circles, April 1 has been mentioned as a possible date.
Cannabis legalization, a controversial topic
The draft bill provides for cannabis to be removed from the list of prohibited substances in the Narcotics Act. Adults over the age of 18 would be allowed to possess 25 grams. A maximum of three plants would be allowed to be grown privately. In cannabis clubs, club members should be allowed to grow the drug together and supply it to each other.
At a recent expert hearing in the Bundestag, it once again became clear how controversial the topic is. Medical associations, police trade unionists and the German Association of Judges had made their opposition to the release clear, while addiction experts and reform-oriented lawyers had spoken of a necessary decriminalization.
The Bundestag will meet again at the end of November before its last week of sessions in December. However, this plenary week is reserved for budget deliberations. Other laws are not usually on the agenda during budget weeks.
- Despite the controversy surrounding cannabis legalization, with medical associations and law enforcement opposing it, some traffic light coalition circles are hopeful for a potential legalization date as early as April 1, 2024.
- The legalization of cannabis, set to remove it from the Narcotics Act, would allow adults over 18 to possess 25 grams and grow up to three plants privately, but this has been met with resistance from various groups, including the German Association of Judges.
- Although the legalization of cannabis does not require the Upper House's approval, the Bundestag's planned postponement might result in a delay, as the Bundesrat will not meet again until February 2, 2024.
Source: www.dpa.com
