Cannabis, not only for the Bavarian government a real devil, but for them so much that with the decided legalization in German a special task force is planned to be formed for it. And even if nothing is definite for the time being, a plenary request by Bavaria to stop the law altogether was rejected by the Bundesrat last week. Sorry, not sorry.
“O`zapft is” was the motto in Munich at the end of September and since then beer has been consumed in “Maßen” beyond all measures at the famous Oktoberfest. After all, this is tradition, German culture. But it is interesting to see how Bavaria has emerged as a pioneer of the anti-cannabis law. While, on the other hand, alcohol flows in streams and the world is simply fine in tranquil Bavaria as long as hemp, one of the oldest natural remedies, remains banned.
In August of this year, the cabinet gave the green light for the draft law, which holds out the prospect of legalizing cannabis in a weakened form. The proposal has made hemp the hot shit among plants. But as if in a thick fog of euphoria and skepticism, the debates surrounding this topic are far from dying down. Not only when it comes to stopping the legalization, but also in case the draft is implemented in its current form. A labyrinth of rules that raises many questions and makes one thing clear: a bureaucratic monster has been created. And it is precisely this that the Federal Council has now addressed in its first session after the summer break.
Criticism of the bill, but no clear rejection of the CannG by the Federal Council
There was no lack of criticism of Health Minister Prof. Dr. Lauterbach’s planned bill. But there was a lack of votes in favor of the plenary motion by the federal state of Bavaria to stop the bill altogether. The idea of converting it into a consent law, led by Hamburg’s SPD Senator of the Interior Andy Grote, also failed to find a majority. Thus, the law cannot be stopped by the Bundesrat, even if objections are possible in later proceedings. But this is no time to breathe a sigh of relief and let things take their course. The demand for the law to be amended remains. And we can only agree with that.
When we talk about cannabis, we are talking about a medicinal plant that was already praised in monasteries in the Middle Ages for its pain-relieving effect. Nevertheless, the medical aspect is often not mentioned much when opponents of legalization voice their concerns. It is no secret that without education pretty much everything can get out of hand, including the use of weed. But this is precisely what the cannabis law provides for. The demand for explanations on this is understandable and to be welcomed.
The justified call for improvement of the draft law
So far, these have been missing, as have details on how the minimum distance from social clubs, where access to weed is to be created, to schools and kindergartens can be controlled. Or the private cultivation of a maximum of three female plants. Bavaria’s solution to this is supposed to be the introduction of a special task force. If it helps to preserve the ideal world as we know it…
CBD products deserve their own regulations
Bureaucratically, the current bill is not far from what can be defined as madness. When it comes to the regulations on CBD products, the question is whether it is time for concern. So far it has been, because the incomplete definition of cannabinoids has led to seizures of entire shop stocks over the last years. It is unclear whether it is dangerous half-knowledge about CBD extracts or pure arbitrariness that keeps creating uncertainty for an industry around a market that has gained enormous economic relevance over the last few years. CBD oil is on everyone’s lips and more than a trend product. However, it is difficult for companies to secure long-term investments until there are clear regulations and definitions.
Due to the limited THC content of 0.3 percent, CBD is not to be classified as a narcotic. Extensive studies prove the health-promoting effect. Therefore it is not even remotely comprehensible that the cannabis law does not contain clear information on free sale. These are exactly the loopholes in the law that have led to legal disagreements in the past, especially in the case of CBD flowers. Therefore, an improvement on the topic and the associated novel food problem must not be missed.
Promoting the cultivation of medicinal cannabis
Looking at the speeches in the Federal Council, there is little that we like to be reminded of. But exceptions prove the rule.. In this case, we have to thank the addition of Saxony’s Minister of the Interior Armin Schuster. His aspects on cannabis in general were admittedly as questionable as they were bizarre. But the request for the adaptation of the law on the cultivation of commercial hemp actually made us fans for the duration of his statement on this.
The current legal framework, as part of the Narcotics Act, leads to increasing demand for import as Germany cannot meet the demand itself. With existing agricultural soils bringing economic and ecological advantages, it is therefore a farce that Germany continues to close its eyes to its competitiveness. Staying behind instead of planning in the sense of a flourishing commercial hemp market in Germany. One step behind progress. What`s up Germany?
Known for quality and innovation, let’s just go on believing that this is what Germany is still thinking about when it comes to cannabis law… and in general anyway. Comparisons with failed measures in the Netherlands, as they keep being made, are as stale as old Chupa Chups lollipops. Especially since experts attribute the cartel-like conditions that now prevail there to the fact that partial legalization caused problems that would not have been an issue with free market access via licensed shops.
Legalization: Yes. Confusing regulations: No.
Legalization, as now envisaged in the current draft, also raises concerns for all pro-legalisation confessors. But nevertheless, the step is a sign in exactly the direction that clears up outdated stigmas. Weed is part of our society, just as beer is part of Bavarian culture. And therefore it has its raison d`être just as much as traditions where the understanding of the nation is also only shared. You can`t make it right for everyone, but you will be wrong by not doing anything.
So it seems we are still a long way from match point. The federal government will now make a statement until it is the turn of the Bundestag again. Whether we will then start the year 2024 with decriminalization and partial legalization of cannabis remains uncertain. The states and municipalities would prefer 2025, because of the organizational effort.
And so the madness around legalization remains real for the time being. But as Albert Einstein already knew: “The purest form of madness is to leave everything as it is and hope that something will change”. So we too will continue to work to get closer to the dream in green, but in the best case with an adapted and revised law.
LEGALIZE NOW.
Photo: fran_kie / Shutterstock
