BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - The Federal Drugs Commissioner Burkhard Blienert is urging the implementation of the planned controlled release of cannabis. "With this project, we are finally recognizing the reality of many people's lives in drug policy and ensuring more practical health protection," said the SPD politician on Monday. It was important to achieve this now. For young people, smoking pot remains prohibited. Nevertheless, it will be possible to significantly reduce the black market and reduce the dangers of consumption, because no adult will have to buy stretched or high-potency weed from the dealer on the corner. This rethink away from prohibition would help almost 4.5 million adults who regularly use cannabis.

The traffic light coalition parties had recently agreed on the details of a draft law. According to the bill, home cultivation and possession of certain quantities of the drug will be permitted for adults from April 1, 2024. Joint cultivation clubs are to become possible on July 1. Cannabis is to be removed from the list of banned substances in the Narcotics Act. Various rules and regulations for controlled release are planned. According to the SPD, the law is to be passed in the Bundestag "shortly in the new year".

Blienert made his comments on the occasion of the presentation of the 2023 annual report by the German Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction. According to the report, cannabis remains the most frequently consumed illegal drug with increasing health risks. Around 40 percent of outpatient and around 30 percent of inpatient treatments were due to the use of cannabis and cannabinoids, it said. Following the coronavirus pandemic, prevention services are now also on the rise again nationwide. Several associations from the healthcare sector as well as police and teaching staff had recently called for a halt to the legalization plans./sam/DP/mis