After resolving internal disagreements and making adjustments regarding cannabis legalization in Germany, the coalition government seems to have reached a consensus.
The leaders of the so-called Traffic Light Coalition, formed by The Greens, the Social Democrat Party, and the Liberals, announced last week that they have reached a deal on cannabis legalization after disagreements over the details of the proposed legislation. The bill will be voted on this month, with the aim of the legalization taking effect in April as planned.
This development clears the path for the legalization of cannabis for personal use, aligning with the impending vote. If there are no further delays, Germany is poised to become the third European Union member state to legalize cannabis for personal use, following Malta and Luxembourg.
The breakthrough follows an internal disagreement and criticism from the SPD regarding the details of the legislation. However, remnants of criticism still persist within the center-left party.
Although the leaders of the government coalition have officially reached an agreement on legalization, some SPD MPs remain opposed.
For instance, Sebastian Fiedler told the German news website Der Spiegel that he would vote against legalization. He cited his disagreement with a law that could “lead to the decriminalization of dealers and pointless extra work for the police.” “My professional ethics as a criminal investigator don’t allow me to take any other stance,” he said.
Sebastian Hartmann, the domestic policy spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group, also said in an interview with Zeit Online that he would not support the reform in the Bundestag and couldn’t endorse the proposed plan.
“The coalition agreement originally provided for the controlled supply of cannabis in certified stores, but the current law shifts this supply to the private sector and thus to uncontrollability,” he said.
The path to legalization in Germany has encountered several hurdles. Initially, the coalition government had to revise its plan, which initially involved the sale of cannabis, as it risked breaching EU laws. Secondly, it confronted criticism from opposition parties seeking to obstruct the proposed legislation. Lastly, internal dissent within the government, particularly from the SPD, emerged regarding the details of the bill.
For the government coalition, the legalization of cannabis for personal use marks a significant milestone in modern drug policy, emphasizing prevention and improving health and child and youth protection.
However, the proposed legislation, introduced last year by Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, may undergo additional slight revisions to address concerns raised by the SPD, potentially involving the expansion and acceleration of monitoring and reporting obligations related to the illicit market.
“The fight against the black market, decriminalization, and better protection of minors will come as announced. The previous drug policy has failed; a new beginning,” Lauterbach said.
Lawmakers recently revised the bill to ease restrictions opposed by advocates and supporters in the Bundestag. Changes included raising home possession limits and eliminating the possibility of jail time for slightly exceeding the possession limit.
The government coalition also plans to introduce a complementary measure establishing pilot programs for commercial sales, set to be revealed after submission to the European Commission.
The final Bundestag reading is expected in the week from February 19 to 23.
The law is set to pass in the week starting February 19, moving to the Bundesrat on March 22 without expected hurdles.
By April 1, the cannabis ban is likely to be lifted, allowing adults to grow cannabis at home and possess small quantities, while cannabis clubs will be allowed from July 1.
