IIt is too early to say whether the law just adopted in Germany establishing “controlled use of cannabis” will be a success or a failure. But one observation is essential: the entry into force of the new legislation, on 1er April, took place in such confusion that it is difficult to see how the objectives stated by the government can be achieved, at least in the short term.
Among these objectives is the eradication of the black market. Originally, the coalition led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz planned to allow the sale of cannabis in licensed stores. But Berlin had to abandon it, such a project proving incompatible with European law. Failing to be able to obtain cannabis in well-established stores, consumers now have two solutions: grow it at home, within a limit of three plants per person, or join a producers’ association, through which they can see distribute up to 30 grams per month if they are between 18 and 21 years old and up to 50 grams if they are older.
The fact remains that these producer associations do not yet exist. According to the law, they will not be able to start their activity before 1er July. To do this, they must first have obtained a license. However, some Länder are resisting, like Bavaria, whose very conservative minister-president, Markus Söder, considers that “the legalization of cannabis is a fatal error”.
Brain teaser
If the regional authorities do not play the game and decide to complicate the establishment of these producer associations, consumers who do not want to engage in cannabis cultivation will continue to obtain supplies from their usual dealers. For small traffickers, the new legislation also presents a certain advantage, in that it is now legal to travel with 25 grams of cannabis on one’s person…
Another objective stated by the government is to lighten the work of police officers and judges. Decades of prohibition and repression having failed to reduce cannabis consumption, quite the contrary, what is the point of continuing to ask them to apply a policy that has failed? The problem is that implementing the new law is already proving to be a real headache. This in fact states that it is prohibited to smoke cannabis in the immediate vicinity of minors, less than 100 meters from schools, sports facilities and children’s play areas as well as in pedestrian areas between 7 a.m. and 20 hours.
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