2024-03-23 03:22:36
The controversial release of cannabis is scheduled for April 1st. This is what the Bundestag decided. But first the state chamber has the floor – and there are signs of a shake-up.
Ahead of the eagerly awaited Federal Council vote on the partial legalization of cannabis, opponents and supporters have promoted their positions. The law passed by the Bundestag for controlled release for adults on April 1st does not require approval.
However, the state chamber could send the traffic light coalition’s plan to the joint mediation committee with parliament and at least delay it there. The Union again warned of problems. The SPD appealed to countries with Green Party participation in government to ensure that the law passes.
Kühnert takes the Greens to task
SPD General Secretary Kevin Kühnert told the “Rheinische Post”: “I hope that many countries that are still undecided will vote for abstention and not for the mediation committee.” The Greens particularly wanted the law. Therefore, “it would not be well explained that the party that fought hardest for it ultimately failed to persuade its state governments to at least abstain in this way.”
CDU leader Friedrich Merz confirmed on RTL/ntv: “We are and will remain against it.” Releasing drugs now is a wrong decision, especially when it comes to the protection of children and young people. Merz explained that “an active majority against the law” must come about in the Federal Council. “If that’s not the case, then it’s passed.” However, there were no clear majority signs on Thursday.
After internal discussions in the Federal Council, three committees recommended sending the law to the Mediation Committee. The leading health committee proposes, among other things, that the entry into force should be postponed to October 1st. The Interior and Legal Affairs Committees also raise objections. The Transport Committee, however, recommends allowing the law to pass. The extent to which the plenary session of the Federal Council follows the recommendations of the committees will have to be seen in the vote on Friday.
According to the law, possession and cultivation of the drug should be permitted for adults to consume themselves from April 1st, with numerous requirements. On July 1st, associations for collective cultivation should also be able to start.
Video | Two t-online users argue the pros and cons of cannabis legalization.
Lauterbach wanted to avert mediation proceedings
Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) accommodated the states on a few points in order to avert a mediation process. The government also submits a protocol declaration to the Federal Council. It guarantees support for information and prevention, especially for children and young people, as well as subsequent changes to the law for more flexible implementation. For example, a request from the Federal Council is taken up that certain controls should not be carried out “annually”, but only “regularly”.
Bavaria’s Health Minister Judith Gerlach (CSU) called for a stop to the law in the Federal Council. “There is now a chance to call the mediation committee and thereby stop the dangerous legalization project.” She criticized the protocol statement as an appeasement maneuver. If there is less control, then the “wild growth of cannabis” will only get worse.
The German Association of Judges warned that the law was riddled with requirements for cultivation and consumption rules that were difficult to control. Police and regulatory authorities are likely to be confronted with a flood of doubts and disputes, Federal Managing Director Sven Rebehn told the newspapers of the Funke media group.
In the statement, the federal government reiterates that a planned amnesty for cases that are supposed to be legal in the future is necessary for reasons of justice. Concerns had been raised from the federal states that the judiciary would be overloaded due to case reviews.