Legalization of cannabis in Germany: the consultation process begins

The German government today announced the start of the first of five expert hearings to prepare the cannabis regulation in Germany.

In all, over 200 of the world's leading experts in addiction medicine, addiction aid, law, business and associations, as well as representatives of the Länder, local authorities, federal ministries and federal authorities, will be exchanging their views on key issues. International experts will also be taking the floor.

Five hearings are scheduled until the end of June, covering :

• Health and consumer protection
• Youth protection and prevention
• Supply chains, ecological and economic issues
• Penalization, control measures and licensing to accompany the introduction of controlled distribution of recreational cannabis
• International experience

Burkhard Blienert, The time has come: we're entering the preparatory phase for legalization! To finally be able to announce this is a special moment for me, a moment of joy. Like many others, I have been working for years to ensure that we finally stop criminalizing cannabis users in Germany and start implementing a modern, health-oriented cannabis policy. The purpose of the hearings is to discuss the measures that will guarantee the best possible protection for young people, health and consumers when implemented. One thing is clear: we particularly want to protect children and young people from potential risks.

The pledge to legalize the controlled sale of cannabis to adults in licensed stores is part of the a series of reforms included in the coalition agreement concluded last year between the three social-liberal parties that make up Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government.

Scholz's coalition took office in December. At the beginning of May, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach.., said he planned to draw up a project for legalizing in the second half of the year, following expert hearings.

The government's campaign to legalize cannabis has been dubbed «Cannabis - aber sicher», «Cannabis - but safe».

For further information, see bundesdrogenbeauftragter.de/cannabis-aber-sicher/