Germany Green party recently proposed a new law that would legalize use, possession and distribution of cannabis.
In a groundbreaking move for European legislation, Germany brought forward a proposition to legalize the use of cannabis. It would be the second EU country to do so after Malta, and surely will influence other governments in the continent to do the same.
The EU in general has become more and more lenient to the use of cannabis in recent years. Many member states have decriminalized cannabis for recreational purposes, like the Netherlands. Other countries allow it for medical reasons, like the current legislation of Germany.
The new German law would decriminalize production and ownership of cannabis, as well as regulating distribution. In particular, the acquisition and possession of 20 to 30 grams of marijuana would be made completely legal. Self-cultivation of this product would be made legal (to a certain extent) while any current criminal proceeding against cannabis would be terminated. Finally, a campaign of awareness on the use and effects of marijuana would be put into place.
It has been proposed by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, member of the Green Party. This represents the most liberal force within Germany, which always strived for the legalization of cannabis.
The legalization of cannabis would be a groundbreaking law in the EU behemoth, and as such it has seen a lot of opposition.
Agreement and disagreement
Many critics against the legalization of cannabis came from Germany’s pharmacists association. They argued that pharmacists, being health-care professionals, would find themselves in a conflict of interests. They cited the negative effects on health related to cannabis consumption, claiming that pharmacists would find it unethical to sell it.
Furthermore, they claimed it would raise competition concerns between pharmacists and other commercial activities.
Concerns were also raised by Bavaria’s health minister. He said that Germany would become a tourist destination for cannabis consumption and would put German society at risk.
Conversely, the Green party replied quoting the benefits on the economy such a law would bring. According to a survey, cannabis legalization would increase German tax revenues by almost 5 billion euros while also creating 26.000 new jobs.
It would also skyrocket the cannabis industry, attracting new investments from North American companies into the EU biggest economy.
In order to limit health risks, Germany’s legislators are also considering limiting the amount of THC legally permitted. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the chemical element that causes the effects of cannabis. In countries where cannabis is already tolerated legally, like in Italy, the legal THC level has been significantly brought down to increase health safety.
