Germany Begins Process of Legalising Recreational Cannabis

This week Germany is set initiate an attempt to legalise cannabis products within the country after a series of public hearings.

Led by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz; centre-left Social Democrats, the Green Party, and pro-business Free Democrats met with health experts, economists, and cannabis growers this past week. Their hope is to push the legalisation through in one-two years.

While medicinal use of cannabis was legalised in 2017, the country wants recreational use to be viable as well. The country has some hurdles to contend with, but there are many potential cost benefits to having this go through - including the cost cuts from the decriminalisation and subsequent arrests of those who buy the drug off the black market. Consequently, if the government can't secure distribution to compete with the black market, the endeavour will have to compete with the established un-regulated sale of the substance.

In an effort to combat the hold of the black market, current medicinal distributers are suggesting lower taxes on the substance to remain competitive. Some distributers are also advocating for the inclusion of online retailers but have received criticism on this idea under the assertion that this would not protect minors and would be more difficult to regulate. If the legislation goes through, the country will also have to decide whether to continue importing what German rappers are calling 'Bubatz', or if they will invest in growing their own supply.

Germany's official statement on their motivations for pushing this agenda is to break up the illegal cannabis trade, thus gain control of the quality of cannabis on sale, prevent the circulation of contaminated substances, and protect minors.

It should be noted that regulating the legal trade and sale of cannabis will put the country in violation of the UN 1961 convention on narcotic drugs. Some countries, like Canada and Uruguay, have already circumvented this problem but some suspect that Germany might prompt the UN to reconsider the convention all together. If Scholz is able to pull this off, it will be fascinating to see how other European countries respond. Will Germany be held up as an example or a cautionary tale in the pursuit of recreational cannabis?

Germany is going ahead with legalisation of cannabis. Adam Smith Institute estimates that legalisation and regulation of cannabis would raise at least £1 billion a year in taxes. The idea that weed can be driven out of people’s lives by the state is deluded. Time for reform.

— Bella Wallersteiner 🇺🇦 (@BellaWallerstei) July 4, 2022

The draft bill is expected to be ready later this year.

Relief at long last for the California cannabis industry. Tax is one of the most important considerations when legalising. Germany needs to get their tax regime right from the start if they intend to build a sustainable industry & reduce the illicit market https://t.co/MpffOd52CH

— Alastair Moore (@alastair_moore_) July 1, 2022

READ: The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland's claim that cannabis is the "gravest threat" to young people's mental health in this country is insulting