The plans of the Berlin traffic light coalition for a controlled legalization of cannabis raise many expectations. Companies already see a billion dollar market. Is it 2024?
Freiburg (dpa/lsw) - According to the Federal Drug Commissioner Burkhard Blienert (SPD), international persuasion is still required for the planned legalization of cannabis in Germany. "We are now promoting this path in many places," said Blienert on Tuesday at the first "CannaB" specialist congress. at the Freiburg Fair. Blienert was connected via video.
"Everyone should take part in this debate," said Blienert. "Germany is aware of its international obligations." Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach recently announced that the plans for a controlled release of cannabis should be backed up with an expert opinion. Confidential talks with the EU Commission showed that "very good arguments" were needed to convince them of the path they had taken, said the SPD politician at the end of November.
Lauterbach presented a key issues paper for the plans at the end of October. Cannabis and the active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) should no longer be legally classified as narcotics. The acquisition and possession of up to 30 grams of "pleasure cannabis" should go unpunished, private cultivation should be allowed to a limited extent and sale to adults in "licensed specialist shops" and possibly also pharmacies should be possible. However, Lauterbach only wants to introduce a law if the plans stand up to an examination in Brussels under European and international law. In October, the department head said he could imagine cannabis being released in 2024.
According to the Berlin industry association for the cannabis industry, the planned German legislation could serve as a global model. "The date 2024 is realistic," said speaker Michael Greif on the side with a view to the Berlin plans. Manufacturers are therefore already preparing to enter the potentially billion-euro market. Legalization could also relieve the judiciary, Greif said. There are an estimated 200,000 criminal charges per year for alleged violations of the Narcotics Act.
Jörg Löser from Arnstadt in Thuringia reported that his company was preparing to produce medicinal cannabis. "We want to invest 20 million euros." He expects the medical cannabis market to open up further. Cannabis medicines have been available on prescription in individual cases for five years now. One example is the treatment of chronic pain. The use of medicinal cannabis was regulated by law in 2017.
The two-day congress in Freiburg runs until this Friday.
