Germany’s three-party coalition runs about as smoothly as a three-man wrestling match. However, they do agree on one need: to free the weed!
According to the new Cannabis Gesetz (law) – dubbed the CanG – adults can now legally carry 25g in public. The limit in private homes is 50g, or up to three marijuana plants.
Originally, legislators were more ambitious, looking to legalise German-grown commercial production and distribution in licensed shops. But this would have gone against EU law.
Those lacking a green thumb can now turn to newly established non-commercial cannabis social clubs. Smoking on-site isn’t allowed, but they are allowed to provide up to 500 members with a monthly pot allowance of 50g each.
However, the raging debate that has accompanied the new law is unlikely to quiet down. A majority of the overall population is against legalising pot, particularly since people with chronic diseases can already get a prescription for medicinal use.
Between four and seven million Germans regularly consume weed, and younger voters especially are in favour – which is why the Greens and the Liberals had campaigned on this issue before the elections. On TV talk shows, the argument goes as follows:
Weed-freer: “Cigarettes and alcohol are harmful yet legal, so why ban cannabis?”
Prohibitionist: “Alcohol and tobacco are so deep-rooted in our culture it’s impossible to get rid of them. But these two drugs are bad enough, why add a third?”
W-F: “Sixteen-year-olds are allowed to drink beer in Germany. Cannabis will only be legal for adults.”
P: “The human brain develops well into our 20s. Studies document that weed can severely damage it.”
W-F: “We will improve the protection of children and young people. We’ve already created a 4 million euro budget for awareness campaigns.”
P: “You’re legalising a drug and warning against it at the same time?”
W-F: “But you never banned beer or gambling commercials! Legalisation means drying up the Schwarzmarkt.”
P: “As if! Canada has seen its black market surge. Dealers will specialise on weed with above-legal THC potency, and target minors. Look at Colorado; statistics show a higher rate of mental disorders among young people since liberalising weed.”
W-F: “Our new law forbids smoking weed in front of adolescents and anywhere within 100 metres of schools, sports facilities and kindergartens.”
P: “So you expect policemen to carry measuring tapes now? Don’t they have better things to do?”
W-F: “Exactly our point! Currently, they chase happy potheads instead of going after real criminals.”
P: “You’re well aware that even today you won’t be prosecuted if you’re only caught with 6g.”
W-F: “But you could be… And even 100,000 dropped cases annually create a lot of paperwork.”
P: “Justice turns a blind eye.”
W-F: “All the more reason to fully decriminalise it.”
P: “But why include the retroactive effect? Prosecutors will now have to go through 20,000 files, manually, to check whether yesterday’s drug delinquents are still delinquents.”
W-F: “That’s called rule of law.”
P: “It’s bad legislation. As is permitting 50g per month – that’s five spliffs a day! ‘Smoke weed for recreational purposes’ says literally no one but Snoop Dogg. Ask any medical expert.”
W-F: “And yet, the number of consumers aged between 18 and 25 has doubled in the past 10 years.”
P: “You’re fuelling it even further.”
W-F: “No, we’re finally solving a failed drug policy.”
P: “By giving up.”
W-F: “On the contrary: We will assess the impact over the next few years. Legalisation also means better quality weed, without dealers contaminating it with poisonous substances.”
P: “Tell that to the understaffed psychiatric wards.”
After watching this repeatedly you start to wish that “if we all had a bong we’d all get along” were actually true.
What I don’t get, personally: why be part of a mass experiment ourselves when other countries – such as Canada, half the US states, Mexico and Uruguay – have conveniently started it? Why not monitor their data, on mental health, drug-related crimes and accidents, teenage drug use – and then decide what’s best?
As long as we cannot be certain that “herb is healing the nation” (Bob Marley), why risk harming it? Thailand has just banned recreational weed use again after only two years.
CanG may meet the same fate. The opposition CDU Party has already announced it will scrap the law if it wins next year’s election.
