Coalition leaders agree on legalising cannabis in their talks to form a new government in Germany
The Democratic Party (SPD), the Free Democrats (FDP) and the Greens “are in favour of a regulated system for cultivation, trade and sale” of cannabis, according to DW News.
The Greens proposed legislation in 2015 and 2020 as a means to divert profits from the illicit cannabis trade, protect young people, relieve the criminal justice system and create revenue that could be invested into prevention and therapy.
SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach urged the three parties earlier this month to legalise cannabis, should a coalition contract be signed. All three parties agree that the current prohibitive cannabis policy does not work, favouring legalisation, decriminalisation and regulation.
German pharmaceutical companies are also in favour and would receive a boost from legalisation.
Coalition talks between the SPD, Green Party and FDP are ongoing, with those involved in the negotiations expressing optimism about the anticipated success in forming a government.
Legalisation of cannabis for adults would protect Germany’s four million consumers through the creation of enforceable consumer standards that ensure the quality of cannabis products.
Cannabis in Germany was rescheduled to a class 1 drug in 2019, which granted legal access to cannabis for pharmaceutical use. Germany now posts €230 million of medical cannabis a year, primarily imported from Canada, who currently generate €2 billion in sales annually.
Many look to the Canadian model of legalisation for a glimpse into the future of what legalising cannabis could look like in Germany.
Economist Justus Haucap compiled a report in 2018 estimating that the sum of money saved (police and courts) and generated (taxes) by legalising cannabis could total €2.6 billion.
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