Germany Wants The Law To Legalize Marijuana To Be Ready By The End Of 2022, The Government Said

The German government wants to legalize the sale and use of marijuana for recreational purposes by the end of this year. The current governing coalition, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, announced shortly after coming to power that it would address the legalization of marijuana. Now the process is moving to the next stage, ABC News writes.

The German Ministry of Health is preparing several meetings with experts in the coming weeks, through which they wants to formulate the final wording of the new legislation. The ministry said it would consult the new marijuana policy with more than 200 experts.

The German government has begun several weeks of expert testimony on liberalizing recreational cannabis use.https://t.co/NQ3SCcMAgp

— DW News (@dwnews) June 14, 2022

According to Burkhard Blienert, who is responsible for drug policy in the German government, the aim of the five expert hearings will be to achieve the ideal wording for new legislation to ensure the quality of marijuana grown exclusively by state-licensed producers, as well as to achieve a high level of protection for young people from substance abuse.

"Like many others, I have worked for years to finally end the criminalization of cannabis use in Germany and to launch a modern and health-oriented marijuana policy," Blienert said on the start of consulting with experts.

After finalizing legislation of marijuana use, Blienert says a four-year transition period will begin, during which the state will analyze the impact of the new cannabis policy on society.

If it turns out that legalization, which would bring the sale of marijuana in officially licensed shops and production under state scrutiny, has a negative effect on the social situation in Germany, the legislation could be amended or tightened. However, Blienert does not expect that. In addition, the legalization of marijuana will bring new revenue to the German government.

In addition to legalizing marijuana, Olaf Scholz's new government plans to lift the ban on abortion propagation that still applies to doctors, lift restrictions on dual citizenship or reduce the minimum age at which citizens can vote in European elections from 18 to 16.