In the event of a government takeover
Merz wants to “immediately reverse” cannabis legalization
March 22, 2024, 3:42 a.m
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The release of cannabis is expected to begin in a week. Before that happens, the Federal Council still has the say today. The Union hopes that the states will call the mediation committee. If that doesn’t happen, she’s already thinking about other steps.
Before today’s Federal Council consultation on the planned partial legalization of cannabis, Bavaria’s Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann once again reiterated the Union Interior Minister’s threat to sue. You have to wait and see whether the mediation committee will be called and what will come out of it; there is no point in suing beforehand, said the CSU politician. But if the United Nations Drug Control Council has already declared that German law violates international treaties, then this must definitely be investigated. However, Herrmann admitted that it was not an easy question as to how the whole thing could ultimately be brought to court.
A constitutional complaint “probably has little chance of success,” says CDU leader Friedrich Merz. Instead, he announces that the Union wants to take back the legalization if it governs again in 2025. “After taking over government, the Union would immediately reverse the law,” Merz told the newspapers of the Funke media group.
The law passed by the Bundestag does not require approval in the Bundesrat. However, the state chamber could send it to the joint mediation committee with parliament and thus slow it down for the time being.
Merz hopes for a mediation committee
According to the traffic light coalition’s plans, possession and cultivation of the drug will be permitted for adults to consume themselves on April 1st, with numerous requirements. On July 1st, non-commercial associations should also be able to start collective cultivation. Merz warned the federal states in the Funke newspapers against making a “fatal wrong decision” through legalization. This would have a massive impact on the health of young people in particular. In addition, thousands of completed criminal proceedings would have to be reopened. “I hope that the states call the mediation committee and that the cannabis law stays there and never comes out again,” the Union faction leader made clear.
Herrmann also renewed his fundamental criticism of the traffic light bill: On the one hand, it is completely wrong to release such drugs for health reasons. On the other hand, the bill is simply not practical. “The question is: What can actually be controlled and where?” As examples, Herrmann cited guidelines on how many plants someone can have in their living room at home, or the distance regulations from schools and kindergartens when consuming. “Should the police measure the distance now?” asked Herrmann. This is all quixotic and impractical. The demand is therefore to avoid partial legalization altogether.