Through cannabis legalization
Buschmann expects the burden on the judiciary and police to be relieved
April 1, 2024, 6:58 a.m
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Justice Minister Buschmann hopes that the widespread approval of cannabis consumption will enable the police and judiciary to focus more on other criminal offenses. Around 100,000 criminal proceedings that are still ongoing are also evidence of the failure of previous policies.
According to Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann, the partial legalization of cannabis that came into force on Monday will relieve pressure on the judiciary and the police in the medium term. “The change means a one-off increase in workload, but in the long term the police and judiciary will be relieved,” the FDP politician told the newspapers of the editorial network Germany (RND). “You can then pursue even more relevant crime.”
There are currently more than 100,000 criminal proceedings against cannabis users. This is a sign that the previous cannabis policy has failed. “It placed a heavy burden on the police, public prosecutors and the judiciary, but in reality it hardly prevented consumption. Instead, consumers were driven into the hands of dealers with inferior products and hard drugs,” said the FDP politician.
The law on the partial legalization of cannabis came into force on Monday. Adults are allowed to carry up to 25 grams of cannabis with them and also grow the substance themselves. Consumption remains prohibited in the immediate presence of minors and near schools, daycare centers and sports facilities.
Model tests for commercial trade
You are allowed to store up to 50 grams of cannabis at home; three plants can be grown for home cultivation. From July 1st, cultivation and distribution via cultivation associations, so-called cannabis clubs, will be possible. In traffic it remains the case that driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs is prohibited. There were warnings from the police and judiciary that the new regulations would place additional burdens on people.
The federal government’s drug and addiction commissioner, Burkhard Blienert, meanwhile called on the traffic light coalition to now also decide on model tests for commercial trade. “With the first step, we are only creating improvements for regular consumers. But now it is absolutely necessary to round things out and decide on the model projects as a second pillar,” the SPD politician told the RND newspapers.
“This is the only way we can ensure that occasional users no longer have to go to the dealer,” said Blienert. It is important that there is a strict ban on advertising when selling in state-licensed shops and that child protection is observed.
The federal government had originally planned to sell cannabis through licensed shops. However, this plan was initially dropped due to concerns from the EU Commission.