FDP drug politician defends cannabis plans against criticism
The FDP parliamentary group's spokesperson on drug policy, Kristine Lütke, has defended the planned cannabis release in Germany against ongoing criticism. She told the German Press Agency in Berlin that the prohibition policy had failed and that a paradigm shift was needed. The background to this are critical statements by various large associations from the police, judiciary and medicine on the plan. This Monday, experts and associations have been invited to a hearing in the Bundestag's Health Committee.
Lütke reiterated that the coalition with the traffic light system is concerned with improving the protection of young people and health with the planned release of the drug. "Cannabis is already being consumed," she said, pointing out that black market products are often contaminated and laced with dangerous substances. She mentioned hairspray, lead and synthetic cannabinoids, for example. More education and prevention and access to cannabis for recreational purposes from home cultivation or from clubs with controlled origin and quality are planned "in order to push back the illegal supply from the black market".
According to current plans, the SPD and the Greens want to pass their law on the partial legalization of cannabis in the Bundestag before the end of the year. Cannabis is to be removed from the list of prohibited substances in the Narcotics Act. Possession of 25 grams is to be permitted for adults over the age of 18. A maximum of three plants should be allowed to be grown privately. In cannabis clubs, club members would be allowed to grow the drug together and supply it to each other.
The Bundestag's Health Committee is hosting a hearing on Monday, inviting experts and associations to discuss the FDP's cannabis release plans. Lütke emphasized that the aim of the coalition is to improve youth protection and health, arguing that black market cannabis can be contaminated with harmful substances like hairspray, lead, and synthetic cannabinoids.
Source: www.dpa.com
