Frankfurt/Main (dpa/lnw) - North Rhine-Westphalia's Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) has reaffirmed his firm rejection of the traffic light coalition's plans to release cannabis. In the Netherlands, the libertarian cannabis policy "has led to a drastic increase in all drug-related crime, including gang wars and murders," said the CDU politician in an interview with the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung".

Reul warned of the health risks of legalization, especially for young people. "The signal for young people in particular is: If it's not forbidden, it's not dangerous, then I can consume it." However, the medical community says something completely different, namely that cannabis is dangerous, especially for young people. He therefore does not understand how politicians can come up with the idea of ​​legalizing this drug. "When it comes to climate protection, it also means: Listen to science. Why shouldn't that also apply to drug policy?"

According to the Union politician, it is not just young people who are at risk of health from a release. As a result, the market for cannabis products as a whole will be significantly increased once again. In addition, many would not be satisfied with the maximum active ingredient content planned by the traffic light, but would want more. "That will then fuel the black market massively," warned Reul.