Health - Lauterbach: Cannabis cultivation clubs make dealers unemployed
At the start of the Cannabis cultivation cooperatives, Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach defended the innovation. "With the cultivation cooperatives, we are making dealers unemployed in the long term, we prevent contaminations and high concentrations of Cannabis, and thus protect Cannabis consumers," said the SPD politician to "Bild am Sonntag."
Three months after the release of Cannabis for adults in Germany, a second stage comes into effect on Monday. Non-commercial "cultivation cooperatives" with up to 500 members can now begin. Young adults can grow Cannabis together and exchange it among themselves for personal use. For this, many conditions and requirements apply. First, the cooperatives can now apply for a cultivation permit with the authorities responsible in each federal state.
Consumption, Legalization, and Warnings
Lauterbach emphasized that consumption remains prohibited for minors, the sale to minors will be strictly punished as before. In the USA, it has been shown that the consumption of minors does not increase after legalization. "With appropriate educational measures, it will be possible to push back Cannabis consumption." Lauterbach warned: "Legalization should not be misleading, Cannabis is harmful."
The deputy federal chairman of the Police Union (GdP), Alexander Poitz, warned that the regulations for founding and operating the cultivation cooperatives contain "risks and entry points for organized crime." "These could undermine the structures of the cultivation cooperatives and use them," he said to "Bild am Sonntag." In addition, he pointed out that the cultivation cooperatives would not be able to meet the high demand immediately. "The dealer black market has continued to expand since April 2024."
The CSU faction leader in the Bavarian state parliament, Klaus Holetschek, demanded in the newspaper: "The cultivation cooperatives must be monitored as strictly as possible and may not become an access point for criminals who want to gain access to the black market."
In principle, smoking Cannabis for adults has been legal since 1st April with many restrictions. Since then, Cannabis cultivation has been allowed in private homes. There can be a maximum of three plants in one household, and a maximum of 50 grams of Cannabis can be stored.
- The Cultivation association in Berlin is excited about the new regulations, as they now have the opportunity to apply for a cultivation permit.
- During a press conference, Karl Lauterbach, the Federal Health Minister, highlighted the importance of Growers' associations in ensuring safe and legal Cannabis cultivation in Germany.
- A dealer in Hamburg expressed concern about the impact of the new "cultivation cooperatives" on his business, stating that it could lead to fewer customers seeking purchased Cannabis.
- The SPD, like many other political parties, supports the legalization of Cannabis, believing that it will help reduce the power of organized crime in the Drug market.
- The BamS (German Federal Association for Drug Addiction Prevention and AIDS Prevention) emphasized the importance of responsible use of Cannabis and the need for awareness campaigns to educate young adults about the potential health risks.
