Cannabis legalization is controversial. Due to the loud dissenting voices, a group of experts is now explaining the positive aspects of cannabis.
A group of around 30 experts have supported the partial legalization of cannabis planned by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) – and against criticism from coalition and Union politicians as well as some doctors and judges. In an open letter they call on the federal government to legalize cannabis. Accordingly, Parliament should vote on the traffic light coalition’s draft this week.
For the signatories – mostly consisting of professors from the fields of law, sociology and psychology – the main aim is to “take an important step towards health protection, prevention and social justice,” according to the letter. Several central bodies of the United Nations have already confirmed the decriminalization of certain drugs, such as cannabis – including the UN High Commissioner.
The promises are supported by increasing evidence from other countries where (partial) legalization has already taken place. Accordingly, the federal government’s fear that legalization would strengthen the profit-oriented black market is untenable. It is much more likely that “there will be a significant reduction due to private cultivation and cultivation associations.”
Legalization has not resulted in an increase in consumption
The states would show that legalization “will not result in an increase in consumption, especially not in groups that need to be particularly protected, such as young people.” At the same time, destigmatization would lower the inhibition threshold of those affected to seek professional help if necessary. The prevailing stigmatization, on the other hand, often reinforces the psychological problems of those affected. A study shows that “cannabis-related health effects are lower in countries with legalization than in countries with cannabis prohibition.”
In view of the current loud dissenting voices, the initiator of the letter, Bernd Werse, emphasized on Deutschlandfunk that most of the relevant experts are in favor of partial legalization, as the federal government is planning.
Criticism of Lauterbach’s draft
The traffic light plan envisages partially legalizing the cultivation and consumption of cannabis in the future. The possession of 25 grams of cannabis for personal consumption by adults should then be exempt from punishment. Private individuals can also grow cannabis plants for their own consumption. In newly founded clubs, members should also be allowed to grow and sell cannabis for private consumption. The Bundestag’s Health Committee wants to deal with the traffic light government’s draft law on Wednesday. It will then be decided by the plenary session on Friday.
Individual coalition MPs have already announced that they will vote against the draft; they have massive criticism of Lauterbach’s draft. “My problem is the lack of protection for minors, the lack of opportunity to control and thus even facilitate criminal activity. It is a risky experiment,” said SPD MP Lars Castellucci to the newspapers of the Bavaria media group.
The Union also rejects the project. The Parliamentary Managing Director Thorsten Frei referred to widespread criticism from doctors, the German Association of Judges and the police. “Cannabis will become part of public life,” warned the CDU politician. This will have an impact on young people and children. “So we won’t see a drying up of the black market, but rather a shift in the black market,” said Frei.
Lauterbach, on the other hand, defended his draft on Tuesday. Even among opponents of the reform, it is not controversial that the current policy has failed, said the SPD politician. Younger people in particular are increasingly consuming. “We are now leaving young people to the black market in a taboo zone.” There are “toxic substances” with admixtures and dealers in shady environments. It’s not about finding new consumers. “But we simply want to let the 18 to 25 year olds who are consuming now consume more safely.” He is sure that the law will pass through the Bundestag.
