Also decision on parental allowance
Cabinet decides on partial legalization of cannabis
08/16/2023 1:03 p.m
In the federal cabinet, resolutions are passed on the partial legalization of cannabis and an increase in the price of CO2. Cuts are also to come in parental allowance and subsidies for pension and long-term care insurance. Another topic caused a stir.
According to information from government circles, the federal cabinet has approved a draft law that provides for the partial legalization of cannabis cultivation and consumption. The draft law by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach provides, among other things, that the possession of 25 grams of cannabis should be exempt from punishment for private adults. In addition, private individuals can grow cannabis themselves with up to three plants. In addition, clubs of up to 500 people that are to be founded should be allowed to grow cannabis for private consumption.
Members should be limited to 25 grams per day and 50 grams per month. However, the federal states decide for themselves whether they allow such cultivation groups. Transport Minister Volker Wissing wants to present upper limits for the consumption of the intoxicant while driving. The draft law was hotly debated in advance. Between the traffic light parties and the opposition Union as well as some Union-led countries, it is disputed whether partial legalization promotes cannabis consumption or merely takes it out of illegality. In addition, the question of sufficient prevention of addiction risks and a possible further burden on the judiciary is controversial.
Cabinet approves savings projects and increases CO2 price
The federal government has also initiated savings in various ministries in order to comply with the debt brake in the 2024 budget year. The cabinet approved Finance Minister Christian Lindner’s budget financing law, a government official told Reuters.
Among other things, this provides for cuts in parental allowance for higher incomes. The subsidies for pension and long-term care insurance will also be reduced. With the same draft law, the carbon dioxide tax for refueling and heating will be increased in two steps for the years 2024 and 2025. For the government’s climate and transformation fund, this means additional revenue in the billions.
For the first time, it is also enshrined in law that Germany intends to spend at least two percent of economic output on defense each year. This so-called NATO quota has so far been met on average over several years.
The Bundestag does not decide on the entire federal budget until the end of the budget week on December 1st. Until then, numerous changes in the draft budget and possibly also in the savings plans can be expected. The draft budget for 2024 approved by the cabinet on July 5 provides for the debt brake to be observed again for the second year in a row. Lindner wants to fully exploit the scope for the permissible new debt with almost 16.6 billion euros.
Excitement about Growth Opportunities Act
Federal Family Minister Lisa Paus also caused a stir by refusing to approve Christian Lindner’s Growth Opportunities Act. As ntv learned from coalition circles, the minister blocked the plan for billions in tax cuts for companies at the cabinet meeting.
Paus therefore first demands from Lindner the promise of higher funds for the basic child security planned by her. From her point of view, the finance minister is slowing down the desired financing, which Paus believes should amount to several billion euros.