Let the cannabis lobbying begin.
The German health ministry is hosting talks this week with stakeholders on the legalization of recreational cannabis, with the aim of presenting a strategy to do so in the fall.
While Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats only wanted to decriminalize cannabis — which would allow only possession — his coalition partners, the Greens and the Liberals, campaigned during the 2021 election to fully legalize recreational cannabis, which would allow its possession, cultivation, trade and transport.
Ultimately, the junior partners prevailed, leading to the creation of a coalition agreement in favor of recreational legalization.
Now they have to deliver on it. While Germany legalized medical cannabis in 2016, many questions still need to be answered before the first joint can be sold legally to recreational users.
Burkhard Blienert, the German commissioner for narcotic drugs, will hold a series of five talks with over 200 stakeholders, including addiction physicians, cannabis associations and international experts. The results will be presented at the end of the month, laying the groundwork for the legalization strategy expected in the fall.
As Germany is getting ready to roll, here’s what you need to know.
Who will be allowed to sell it?
Currently, only pharmacies can sell medical cannabis in Germany — and according to the them, that shouldn’t change for recreational cannabis. [Read More @ Politico]
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