German police advocate greater legalization of cannabis

The debate surrounding legalization of cannabis in Germany continues to divide the political landscape, But there is one key voice calling for caution in the face of a possible backlash: that of the police themselves.

While some members of the conservative CDU have called for the repeal of the Cannabis Consumption Act (KCanG), the German Police Union (GdP), relayed in particular by the Hanfjournal, takes a more nuanced stance, criticizing the law while warning against its outright abandonment.

An «imperfect» law with laudable intentions

According to Alexander Poitz, federal vice-president of the GoP, the current framework governing the recreational cannabis is far from perfect. He describes KCanG as an «imperfect law», explaining the gaps in its implementation and the challenges it poses for law enforcement.

However, Mr. Poitz also acknowledges that original objectives of the law remain legitimate. The intention to regulate consumption, reduce illicit trade and improve public safety is widely understood, even within the ranks of the police. The problem, he argues, lies in the way these objectives have been implemented.

From a police perspective, many of the rules introduced by the KCanG are difficult to apply and were not sufficiently designed with operational realities in mind. This has led to confusion among authorities and added pressure on already strained resources.

A system that risks reinforcing black market

One of the main criticisms raised by the GdP concerns the structure of the partial legalization model in Germany. Based primarily on the culture at home and cannabis clubs, The system has failed to provide sufficient legal supply to meet demand.

As a result, the black market continues to thrive, and may even have been indirectly reinforced. According to Poitz, increased consumption, rising possession limits and the emergence of new consumer groups all contribute to the persistence of illegal activities.

This paradox highlights a major weakness in the German approach: without accessible and regulated retail channels, As a result, consumers are left with limited legal options. The gap between supply and demand inevitably benefits illegal operators.

Why a total repeal could backfire«

Despite these shortcomings, the GoP is clearly opposed to a complete reversal of the cannabis legalization. For the union, such a measure would not only wipe out the progress made to date, but also run the risk of handing the entire market over to illegal networks.

Poitz warns that repealing the law would amount to a form of «capitulation» on the part of the state, once again leaving the black market as the sole supplier. In this scenario, all efforts to regulate consumption, improve safety and control distribution would be in vain.

Rather than repealing the law, the GoP advocates adjustments, more specifically, the’introduction of a more structured, state-controlled market. This would include authorized sales outlets, regulated supply chains and clearer rules for production and distribution.

According to the union, such a model would solve several problems at once. It would help reduce the influence of black market, It will also help to guarantee product quality through inspections, and improve traceability throughout the supply chain. In addition, it could generate tax revenues and ease the burden on law enforcement agencies by reducing minor offences.

At the same time, the police emphasize that the current framework already entails new responsibilities. Road safety checks, prevention campaigns and the enforcement of complex consumer rules all require considerable resources.

After the legalization of 2024, The focus is no longer on ideological debates, but on how to make legalization a success.