Wednesday October 13, 2021
Years of opponent
Lauterbach now for cannabis legalization
Will the possible traffic light coalition also legalize cannabis? The FDP and the Greens are in favor, the SPD wants a regulated tax in model projects. Your health expert points out new types of dangers in illegal street trafficking.
The SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach has spoken out in favor of legalizing cannabis in a possible coalition agreement between the SPD, the Greens and the FDP. In an interview with the “Rheinische Post” he advocated allowing controlled distribution to adults.
The reason he cites the trade in cannabis, which is said to have been increasingly mixed with heroin. “For years I refused to legalize cannabis. In the meantime, as a doctor, I have come to a different conclusion,” said Lauterbach. “More and more often, the illegally sold street cannabis is being mixed with a new type of heroin that can be smoked. This quickly drives cannabis users into a heroin addiction.” This phenomenon is new and changes the situation.
It remains unclear in the interview which reports Lauterbach is based on. The topic does not play a role in the federal government’s drug report or on drugchecking sites. However, stretched cannabis products are increasingly becoming a problem: marijuana in particular is increasingly being mixed with synthetic cannabinoids. Consumers thus ran incalculable health risks, warns, among other things European drug report.
Legalizing cannabis would prevent the trade in contaminated hashish, said Lauterbach. “I am therefore in favor of us formulating a passage on the legal and controlled distribution of cannabis to adults in a possible coalition agreement with the Greens and the FDP.”
July for full legalization
The FDP youngsters meanwhile plead for an even more far-reaching reform. “Instead of the lowest common denominator, we now need major reforms that go far beyond the legalization of cannabis,” said the head of the Young Liberals, Jens Teutrine, of the “Rheinische Post”. “The prohibition, criminalization and stigmatization of cannabis has failed.” Only complete legalization would ensure the necessary quality standards and the protection of minors.
IFDP and Greens are in favor of legalizing cannabis and “selling it in licensed specialty shops”. The SPD, on the other hand, advocates a “regulated charge” to adults initially in model projects that are accompanied by prevention and counseling offers.
Police union representatives warn against legalization. Among other things, they argue that cannabis is an often played down drug that can lead to significant health problems and social conflicts, especially among young people.