A court delivers a verdict in a legal dispute. - Justice ministers from unions call for enhancements in the cannabis law.
Several state Justice Ministers and leaders from CDU and CSU are urging the German government to make changes to the cannabis law. They're worried that loopholes in the law have led to courts exonerating defendants charged with illegal narcotics importation because certain evidence is no longer admissible. Participating parties include representatives from Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Brandenburg, Hesse, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Berlin, and other regions.
These officials are pushing for a prompt amendment to the cannabis law, as well as changes in the relevant Criminal Procedure Code section. They're concerned that criminals are exploiting these gaps to their advantage, weakening law enforcement capabilities.
Baden-Württemberg's Justice Minister, Marion Gentges (CDU), expressed her outrage, saying, "It's incredible that drug dealers who blatantly flout our laws are now benefiting from the new Cannabis Law of the traffic light government." Bavaria's Justice Minister, Georg Eisenreich (CSU), further criticized the situation, stating, "This removes crucial investigative tools from law enforcement. It's detrimental to the fight against serious, organized, and commercial drug crime and makes Germany an attractive target for organized crime."
The ministers drew attention to a recent judgment by the Mannheim Regional Court, where a man accused of smuggling 450 kilograms of marijuana into Germany was acquitted due to an inability to use encrypted chat messages from Encrochat as evidence under the new law. This ruling has prompted others to follow suit.
Expected legal revisions include a new driving limit, a ban on driving while under the influence of cannabis, and more regulations to prevent the formation of large-scale cannabis plantations in the new cultivation associations. The Bundestag is scheduled to vote on these amendments in the upcoming week.
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- The FDP, a political union, has voiced its support for these proposed changes to the cannabis law and the Criminal Procedure Code section.
- In a separate matter, Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP) from the federal state of Germany, called for stricter penalties for cybercrimes, such as hacking and online fraud.
- Meanwhile, in Munich, authorities are dealing with a surge in petty crimes, including pickpocketing and theft, and are implementing additional measures to enhance public safety.
- In Stuttgart, the election of a new mayor has sparked renewed interest in local politics, with various parties, including CDU and FDP, campaigning for votes.
- Despite these challenges, the economy of Saxony-Anhalt, an eastern German state, has shown signs of growth, with sectors like technology and renewable energy showcasing promising prospects.
- Schleswig-Holstein, a state in the north of Germany, is wrestling with the issue of farmland preservation and its impact on housing and urban development.
- In response to rising crime rates in Berlin, the capital city, authorities are focusing on community engagement and stronger police presence to improve public safety.
- The Criminal Procedure Code in Germany also governs cases related to data privacy and misuse, with stringent regulations to protect citizens' digital rights and punish offenders.
- Brandenburg, a neighboring state to Berlin, has seen a decrease in illegal border crossings due to increased border controls, contributing to a reduction in unauthorized entries into Germany.
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