Legal Resolution Judicial Conclusion Court Verdict - Numerous inmates have been freed from prison after partial cannabis legalization.
With the recent development of allowing cannabis in certain instances, several prisoners in Lower Saxony have been set free. The Hanover Ministry of Justice has confirmed this to the German Press Agency after their inquiry, as two inmates were released from substitute sentences. This happens when an individual is unable to pay a fine and instead has to serve the amount in prison. Additionally, six cases have been wiped clean or removed due to 'over-imprisonment'. Although the April numbers are known, newer details are unavailable as of yet.
The legalization of cannabis brought about an amnesty for past cases, so various court files and verdicts must be evaluated. This was carried out manually. Lower Saxony's Ministry reported that around 16,000 proceedings had to be investigated in this matter. The majority of these cases have been examined by the prosecutors but there's still work to be done.
Lower Saxony's Justice Minister, Kathrin Wahlmann of the SPD, expressed her disapproval of the recently implemented cannabis law, expressing her displeasure to the Hanover German Press Agency. "This cannabis law has generated a significant amount of work throughout the justice system. I consider it unnecessary and not required as back in the past, people were aware of the consequences of their actions but decided to persist in buying or consuming cannabis anyways," she said.
Wahlmann insisted that there was more to be done. "The files that were initially assessed by the prosecutors account for a portion of the cases, but it's not enough," she commented. If a person holds multiple convictions, such as cannabis offenses and resisting law enforcement, then the file is sent to the court which subsequently needs to undo the overall sentence and formulate a new one. This necessitates a court ruling every time. "This work could've been prevented," remarked the SPD politician.
Amendments to the existing law are expected to be passed by the Bundestag next week. These changes involve the introduction of a new driver's limit, a ban on operating vehicles while under the influence of cannabis, as well as various clauses for the new cultivation organizations.
Wahlmann isn't optimistic about the increase in the limit. "I believe it's detrimental to raise the limit just because the use of cannabis is now tolerated," she stated, implying that it could potentially suggest that driving while under the influence of the drug is relatively safe.
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The partial legalization of cannabis in Germany, specifically in Lower Saxony, led to the release of several prisoners from prison on substitute sentences. Despite this, Lower Saxony's Justice Minister Kathrin Wahlmann, from the SPD, criticized the new law, stating that it has generated unnecessary work within the justice system. Around 16,000 cases related to cannabis were investigated after the amnesty, with over-imprisonment being a factor in the release of six prisoners. The Hanover Ministry of Justice confirmed two individuals being freed due to the recent development in the cannabis law. The German Press Agency reported that these changes in the law could lead to further amendments, such as raising the driver's limit and introducing a ban on operating vehicles while under the influence of cannabis.
In a broader context, Wahlmann argued against increasing the cannabis driver's limit, expressing concern that it might mistakenly suggest that driving under the influence of the drug is relatively safe. The recent legal resolution of cannabis-related cases has also prompted calls for a review and potential adjustment of existing laws related to drug use and addiction within Germany's Ministry of Justice.
