Drugs - Cannabis legalization: reservations among SPD interior experts
The planned liberalization of cannabis has met with reservations from members of the SPD parliamentary group. "There was never any agreement with the interior politicians of the SPD parliamentary group," SPD interior expert Sebastian Fiedler told Der Spiegel.
He criticized various relaxations in the planned law, such as lower minimum distances to schools and day-care centers for cannabis use. "The law has no impact whatsoever on organized crime and therefore misses a core objective," criticized Fiedler. "If the law on cannabis legalization were to be voted on now, there would be a considerable number of no votes from the SPD parliamentary group. Including my own," emphasized Fiedler.
The traffic light coalition parties had recently agreed on the details of a draft bill. Cannabis is to be removed from the list of prohibited substances in the Narcotics Act. Home cultivation and possession of certain quantities of the drug are to be permitted for adults from April 1, 2024. Joint cultivation clubs are also to be made possible from July 1.
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- Despite the reservations expressed by some SPD parliamentary group members, the SPD interior expert Sebastian Fiedler acknowledged his potential "no vote" on the cannabis legalization bill, given its current form.
- The interior politicians of the SPD parliamentary group had not reached an agreement with the coalition parties on various aspects of the planned Drugs law, specifically regarding closer proximity to schools and day-care centers.
- In Germany, the SPD parliamentary group has voiced concerns that the planned legalization of cannabis, outlined in the Narcotics Act, may not effectively address organized crime or significantly impact its objectives.
- Criticizing the proposed changes to the Narcotics Act, SPD interior expert Fiedler argued that the law would not be beneficial, stating that it has no impact on organized crime and thus fails to meet its key objective.
- Germany's SPD parliamentary group remains divided on the issue of cannabis legalization, with Fiedler emphasizing that a considerable number of members would likely vote against the motion if it were brought up for a vote now.
- The planned liberalization of cannabis, from being a prohibited substance to permitted home cultivation and possession amongst adults, will be a contentious topic within the SPD parliamentary group due to the reservations held by its members on various aspects of the bill.
Source: www.stern.de
