Germany’s plan to legalize hashish has won comments from the European Union, according to Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, who announced that a bill for hashish legalization would be submitted in the coming weeks.
Germany is advancing its plan to legalize recreational hashish, with the aim of becoming the first European country to sell hashish products.
But while supranational legal frameworks can be obstacles to legalization, Lauterbach has garnered positive feedback from the EU, emphasizing that the law will have to comply with EU regulations.
Lauterbach said he is confident his plans to legalize hashish will be approved by the EU. Speaking in Brussels on Tuesday (March 14), ahead of an assembly with his European counterparts, Lauterbach said he had obtained “very good comments” from the European Commission. Concerned about whether legalization would comply with EU law, Lauterbach had his plan tested through the European Commission.
In addition, Lauterbach announced that a bill regarding the hashish law will be presented “in the coming weeks. “
“Soon we will present a proposal that works, that is, that is in line with European legislation,” he said.
The minister was also positive that the proposal would reduce drug-related crime and make hashish consumption safer.
“We’re going to those goals,” he said.
Most likely, the bill will be based on the plan to legalize adult cannabis use, which was approved in October, and several hearings with experts and stakeholders who took a stand last year.
The original plan proposes several restrictions on hashish possession, adding a 30-gram limit for adults over the age of 18. The plan also allows home cultivation of up to two plants and allows licensed retail stores and pharmacies to sell hashish products. In addition, the marketing and advertising of these products will be prohibited and clinics must be kept away from schools and youth institutions. In addition, it would be mandatory for recreational hashish sold in Germany to be grown and manufactured in the country.
However, one of the legal obstacles to hashish regulation in Germany is represented by foreign and European laws, which prohibit the legalization of hashish for recreational purposes.
Germany is lately awaiting approval from the European Commission, and Lauterbach explained that some adjustments would be made to the government’s initial plan to comply with EU regulations. However, it did not specify what those adjustments would be. He said the reviews would take into account what was reported or not.
Cannabis is dealt with in the 1985 Schengen Convention and EU Framework Decision 2004/757/JHA at European Union (EU) level, which obliges Member States to fight drug trafficking. Adjustments to this framework would possibly be mandatory for hashish regulation. If a member country violates EU regulations, the European Commission can initiate a formal procedure to demand corrective measures. before the European Court through judicial proceedings.
In addition, the German plan to legalize hashish would be incompatible with foreign treaties, the 1961 Single Convention.
Therefore, the German coalition government seeks to comply with EU law while maintaining its own goals, reducing crime and making hashish consumption as safe as possible through the protection of young people.
In fact, public health and youth coverage were the basis of the so-called Traffic Light coalition when it announced its purpose to legalize hashish after the 2021 general election.
However, some experts believe that imposing excessive restrictions on the legal market, such as banning advertising and marketing operations and limiting THC levels, would possibly not curb the illegal market well.
If Germany effectively overcomes foreign and European legal hurdles and proceeds with the legalization of recreational cannabis, it will fully come into force in 2024.