BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - The German Customs and Finance Union has opposed traffic light plans to legalize cannabis in Germany, casting doubt on the legality of the plan. "A national solo attempt to legalize a product that continues to be prohibited under Union law would be completely contrary to the system, if only with a view to the cross-border movement of goods in the internal market," said federal chairman Dieter Dewes in a statement on Monday.

The union referred to current international regulations, such as the Schengen Implementation Agreement. In this, the states of the Schengen area, in which freedom of movement without mutual border controls applies, have committed themselves to "prevent the illicit export of narcotics of all kinds, including cannabis products, as well as the sale, procurement and distribution of these means by administrative and criminal means."

The customs and finance union also doubts that legalization can improve youth and health protection and dry up the black market. The practical implementation of a supply chain strictly controlled by the state is utopian./jr/DP/stw