BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - Every second eligible voter in Germany thinks cannabis legalization is good in principle, according to a survey. In a recent YouGov survey, 50 percent of respondents said they were "rather" or "completely" in favor of legalization in principle.

40 percent were "completely" or "somewhat" opposed to such a plan. 10 percent said they "don't know" or made no statement. Compared with the last survey in May, the level of approval has risen slightly. At that time, 47 percent were in favor of releasing the drug, according to the survey institute.

However, three quarters of those currently surveyed (75 percent) believe it is important that cannabis legalization be accompanied by information campaigns about the risks of use for young people under 18. 68 percent think such campaigns should even be a prerequisite for legalization.

On Wednesday, the federal cabinet cleared the way for the partial legalization of cannabis and passed a corresponding bill. It is planned to remove cannabis from the list of prohibited substances in the Narcotics Act. Adults over the age of 18 will be allowed to possess 25 grams. Gelten sollen die Regeln spätestens ab dem Jahreswechsel. The Bundestag still has to pass them./jr/DP/stk