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Cannabis legalization as an election campaign issue
FDP - proposal to legalize cannabis. The Greens, SPD and Left Party support this. Is it just election campaigning or a realistic perspective?
The motion for cannabis legalization, which the FDP parliamentary group has introduced in the Bundestag, begins with a devastating verdict: "The grand coalition's repressive policy with regard to cannabis as a recreational drug has failed in Germany."
For this reason, the FDP is calling on the federal government to submit a draft law. The election campaign theme is to enable the controlled distribution of cannabis to adults for recreational purposes. The FDP is also calling for cannabis to be taxed.
For example, this is how the party envisions the new cannabis policy:
- Adults should use cannabis in Pharmacies and licensed stores allowed to buy
- Up to 15 grams a person should be allowed to own
- Cannabis is said to taxed great
The taxation should be as follows: ten euros per 100 mg of THC should generate revenues of one billion euros per year. This should then be used for preventive measures.
Cannabis lobby criticizes FDP proposal
The lobby organization of the legalization movement appreciates that the FDP is also participating in the debate, but is critical of the party's proposal, especially the linking of the tax to the amount of THC.
"A tax of 100 euros will be charged per 10 mg of THC, which would drive the price of THC-rich varieties to over 20 euros per gram," says the German Hemp Association.
The Hemp Association, on the other hand, considers a tax of 2,60 euros per gram - regardless of the THC content - to be much more effective.
Cannabis legalization would also relieve the burden on authorities:
The FDP is not the only party to criticize current policy. The Left, SPD and Greens also want to decriminalize or legalize cannabis. They have even stated this in their preliminary election manifestos for the federal election.
SPD:
The SPD's preliminary election manifesto had actually already been adopted - without any comments on cannabis policy. A revised version now contains a passage that advocates the regulated distribution of cannabis to adults. However, this will first be tested in model projects. Possession of small amounts will no longer be prosecuted.
Alliance 90 / The Greens
With a cannabis control law, the party wants to lift the existing cannabis ban and enable the controlled and legal sale of cannabis in licensed specialist shops. Cannabis should be sold in specialist shops in a controlled manner in order to improve health and youth protection. Rules should be created for the cultivation, possession, trade and consumption of cannabis.
Die Linke
The party wants to create a legal and primarily non-commercial way to obtain cannabis and to allow possession and cultivation for personal use. In their preliminary election manifesto, they state that they want to change the federal drug law so that federal states can independently decide on scientific model projects for the regulated distribution of cannabis.
As of: 05.04.2021; election programs of the other parties not yet published
Cannabis - Legalization to Protect Young People
However, the Union insists on the cannabis ban. The CSU politician Daniela Ludwig, as the Federal Government's drug commissioner, repeatedly warns of health risks and possible long-term consequences.
Other parties also see dangers for young people. Their proposals therefore include banning the sale to minors and effectively enforcing this ban. Experts believe that legalization could even protect young people.
Conclusion: We remain curious to see when the legalization of cannabis will be approved in Germany.
In many states in the USA as well as in Canada, South Africa, Lesotho, the Netherlands, Spain, Peru and Uruguay, the consumption of cannabis is currently permitted for private use.
Sources:
https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/cannabis-wahlkampf-100.html
https://www.die-linke.de/fileadmin/download/wahlen2021/BTWP21_Entwurf_Vorsitzende.pdf
dipbt.bundestag.de/doc/btd/19/008/1900819.pdf
https://www.zukunftfuerdich.de/?utm_campaign=zukunftsprogramm&utm_source=nl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=landingpage_videokonferenz_podcast&utm_term=respekt_zukunft_europa_frauenmaerz