The imminent legalization of marijuana for adult use in Germany will be centered on safety and safeguarding children from harmful health impacts, according to the country’s health minister.
Though Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach omitted to identify Canada, his remarks imply that Germany may take some cues from the country’s generally more stringent, health-focused regulatory framework that is unfriendly to big business.
According to a story in Der Spiegel, the largest German news site, Lauterbach made the remarks at the ministry’s hearings on the legalization of recreational cannabis, when hundreds of specialists discussed their views on addiction, law, commerce, government, industry, and other topics.
The health minister did not provide any new information regarding the potential timing of the legislation’s approval and publication of regulations, but Lauterbach did clarify that the government’s goal is to have a draft law finished by the end of this year.
6.2 million Canadians ingested cannabis over a three-month period in 2020, compared to 4 million people in Germany, according to Lauterbach.
However, according to certain research, there are significantly more people who could use cannabis.
According to a 2018 poll, 16.9% of young adults (aged 15 to 34) had used cannabis in the previous year.
Lauterbach claimed that after changing his stance, he was once opposed to legalization.
