Germany is moving forward with its plan to legalize cannabis for recreational use, aiming to become the first European country to regulate the sale of cannabis products.
But while supranational legal frameworks may pose obstacles to legalization, Lauterbach has received positive feedback from the EU, highlighting that the legislation must comply with EU regulations.
Lauterbach has expressed confidence that his plans to legalize cannabis will be approved by the EU. Speaking in Brussels on Tuesday, March 14, before a meeting with his EU counterparts, Lauterbach said he had received “very good feedback” from the European Commission. As he had concerns about whether legalization would comply with European law, Lauterbach had his project reviewed by the EU Commission.
In addition, Lauterbach announced that a bill regarding the cannabis legislation will be introduced “in the next few weeks.”
“We will soon present a proposal that works, that is, that conforms to European law,” he said.
The minister was also optimistic that the proposal would reduce drug-related crime and make cannabis use safer.
“We will achieve these goals,” he said.
The bill is likely to be based on the plan to legalize adult-use cannabis, which was approved in October, and on several hearings with experts and stakeholders that took place last year. (Full Story)