Lauterbach: Draft legislation on cannabis legalization could be available at the end of March

Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) assumes that the draft law to legalize  cannabis  could be ready by the end of the first quarter of next year. If everything goes well, the draft could then be presented to the Bundestag in the second half of the year, Lauterbach said on Tuesday in Berlin. 

According to Lauterbach, the consumption of cannabis should be legalized with the aim of strengthening the protection of children and young people and reducing the black market, making the products less dangerous with fewer admixtures and at the same time not increasing consumption among the population. Parallel to the draft law, an expert opinion is planned on the question of whether this goal can be implemented with the legislative plans.

With the template, Lauterbach is implementing a stipulation from the coalition agreement of the traffic light government. Because there are concerns as to whether the project is in line with European law, the Minister of Health has his project examined by the EU Commission before the legislative process is initiated. In earlier statements, Lauterbach said that legality in 2024 is conceivable.

Lauterbach’s concept provides, among other things, that the acquisition and possession of up to 20 to 30 grams should be exempt from punishment. Supply and distribution should only be permitted within a licensed and government controlled framework. Private cultivation should be allowed to a limited extent – three plants per person are planned.