BERLIN Living in the district of Kreuzberg Verena Cremer cautiously supports the legalization of cannabis, and for good reason.
Cremer thinks that drug crime in the neighborhood could decrease.
– In any case, legalizing cannabis is worth trying. It would be a way to take control of the problems in this part of the city, says Cremer.
Kreuzberg is known for its lively nightlife and intoxicants. On the other side of the block is the Görlitzer park, which has gained a bad reputation in recent years, where drug dealing takes place and where people are afraid to move around in the dark.
Germany is planning to legalize the use of cannabis from the beginning of next year. Only non-profit associations would be allowed to sell intoxicating cannabis. Growing cannabis at home for one’s own needs would be allowed.
In this way, the German government wants to prevent organized crime and curb uncontrolled trade on the black market.
The purpose is also to protect minors from drugs. In that case, the previous control policy is the Minister of Health by Karl Lauterbach considered unsuccessful.
Read more: The German government approved a bill to legalize the recreational use of cannabis
The attitude of the police varies
The legalization of cannabis is strongly dividing Germany. There are big differences between states, regions and neighborhoods.
For example, the capital Berlin is clearly more liberal compared to the rest of the country. It quickly becomes apparent when talking to Berliners.
– I feel like I live in a bubble where cannabis is accepted. In Berlin, cannabis is already quite common, even though it is illegal, he says Lisa Vitale.
Vitale works as a salesperson at Tom Hemp’s, a store that sells cannabidiol products, i.e. non-intoxicating cannabis. He believes that a more liberal drug law will reduce crime and improve young people’s awareness of the dangers of drugs.
At least the decriminalization of the use of cannabis, i.e. the removal of punishment, would be important in Vitale’s opinion.
A couple of blocks away Joshua Ebermann and Underneath the presenting man agrees.
– Berlin is more open when it comes to grass. You can smoke it here on the street and the police won’t interfere even if they smell it. If there were problems in smaller cities in Bavaria, Saxony or Thuringia, the police would stop them immediately, says Ali.
Verena Cremer from Kreuzberg thinks that there is no point in waiting for a consensus on the subject. Even Berliners are divided among themselves.
– Here in Kreuzberg, the majority certainly supports the liberalization of cannabis, but in some other districts they do not, says Cremer.
“Young people would get information”
In the latest opinion poll, every second adult German thinks the legalization of cannabis is a good thing. In last week’s YouGov survey, already 50 percent of respondents said they supported legalization “quite a lot” or “completely”.
40 percent of those who responded to the survey rejected the plan in whole or in part. The rest of the interviewees did not state their position or answered at all.
The majority consider the condition of the more liberal law to be that the authorities simultaneously organize a broad and thorough information campaign for young people about the harmful effects of hashish and marijuana.
– I still hesitated, but I would say no if asked. On the other hand, I think that alcohol is also legal and it also has extensive adverse effects. But I have 13 and 15 year old children and I fear they will be exposed to drugs more than before, Gerte Buchheit says in northeast Berlin.
Joshua Ebermann believes that the marginalization of young people would decrease if there were no criminal record entries for the use of cannabis.
– Legalization would at least reduce crime, and the police wouldn’t have to spend time arresting people who don’t mean anyone any harm. And bureaucracy would be reduced, says Ebermann.
– With the current laws, even young people are made criminals, Ali accompanies.
The graphic below lists the EU countries where citizens most often report having used cannabis in their lifetime:
Opponents: How is the law enforced?
Some of the legal experts, the police and political parties strongly oppose the law.
President of the German Police Association Rainer Wendt estimated that the law would be a “bureaucratic monster of the first degree”. The purpose of the law is to precisely define, for example, where cannabis can be used and how much of it can be possessed each month.
Opponents of the parties can be found especially among supporters of the Christian Democrats.
– I think the law is a serious mistake. It should not even be presented, the general secretary of the CDU party of the Christian Democrats Carsten Linnemann said in an interview.
In Linnemann’s opinion, it is not essential that the new law is intended to combat the illegal sale of drugs.
Criticism will also come from the parliamentary group of the Federal Chancellor’s Party, the Social Democrats. Spokesman responsible for drug policy in the group Kristine Lütke hopes for improvements to the law.
– Many small regulations create an uncontrollable bureaucratic monster, which brings an additional burden to the supervisory authorities, says Lütke.
There will probably be further changes to the law in the German Bundestag, i.e. parliament.
in Finland is one of Europe’s strictest cannabis laws. Cultivation, import, export, transport, trade, possession and use of cannabis is punishable.
In Malta adults can carry seven grams of cannabis and grow up to four plants at home. Smoking marijuana in a public place is prohibited.
Germany’s according to the bill, adults would be allowed to possess up to 25 grams of cannabis. The amount may still change during the processing of the law.
in Holland the drug law prohibits the possession of soft drugs such as cannabis, but the law is not enforced. The sale of mild drugs and the use of small amounts of marijuana and hashish are allowed in licensed cafes. The so-called coffee shops have to purchase merchandise from the black market.
in Switzerland we are experimenting with possibilities for the distribution and production of intoxicating cannabis legally.
in Portugal possession of cannabis has not been a crime for over 20 years. Consumption and possession of small amounts is only considered an administrative offense.
in Spain private use is not prohibited, but is considered a public offense subject to fines.
in Luxembourg private use and the cultivation of four cannabis plants are allowed. Possession of cannabis is not a crime.
More on the topic:
In Finland, a citizen’s initiative aimed at legalizing cannabis will enter the parliament
Shops selling cannabis have appeared in Finland – the police are not interested, but Customs suspects entrepreneurs of serious drug crimes
This is how cannabis is treated in different parts of Europe – the change is coming to us too, estimates the legal scholar