German parliament rejects cannabis legalization

On Thursday, October 29, Germany's federal parliament rejected a bill to legalize Cannabis for adults, even though the majority of Bundestag members belong to a political party in favor of cannabis reform.

The bill had been tabled by the Green Party and received support only from the Left Party, the combined votes of the two parties not being sufficient.

The pro-legalization Free Democratic Party (FDP) abstained, stating that it wanted a «free cannabis law» rather than a «controlled cannabis law» that would prevent the operation of a future legal cannabis market.

The SPD and CDU, the two coalition parties, voted against the bill. The CDU had shown some signs of softening of its position without, however, making it a party doctrine. For their part, SPD legislators supported a certain relaxation of cannabis laws, but rejected the legalization bill. due to coalition discipline«.

The right-wing party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) was the only opposition party to vote against the bill.

Several other cannabis-related motions proposed by the opposition parties were also defeated:

• treat medical cannabis like any other medicine, with proof of efficacy.
• authorize a pilot project for controlled cannabis distribution
• increase the amount of medical cannabis grown in Germany
• decriminalize possession of 15 grams of cannabis

Another motion from the left, to authorize a small amount of THC in blood The Bundestag's Transport Committee has been sent for further discussion.