The Federal Government plans to enable the controlled dispensing of cannabis to adults in Germany. But how can you ensure young people and health are protected and what rules should apply in the future regarding the selling and cultivating of cannabis, and to road safety? As part of the ‘Cannabis – but safe’ consultation process, these questions will be discussed with experts during the course of several hearings.
The Coalition partners agreed on enabling the “controlled dispensing of cannabis for recreational purposes to adults through licenced stores”. Within a clearly defined legal framework, the selling, buying and possession of cannabis shall be permitted. The primary goal and guiding principle of the legislative procedure will be to ensure consumers’ health is protected to the highest possible degree and that children and young people are protected.
Since the implementation of this aspect of the Coalition Agreement is a complex project, it needs to be carefully prepared. Therefore, the key issues regarding youth, health and consumer protection, cultivation, trade, taxation, etc. will be discussed in the summer of 2022 in the context of a structured consultation process headed by the Commissioner of the Federal Government for Drug and Addiction Policy. The aim is to submit a draft bill as early as this year.
The consultation process aims to pool the expertise required to implement the project and complement it with the experiences of other countries. In addition, it is important to create a space where concerns and objections, too, can be openly addressed and discussed. To this end, the key questions around controlled dispensing will be closely examined by both experts and civil society stakeholders. The consultation process, currently envisaged to comprise five hearings, will be headed by the Drug and Addiction Commissioner of the Federal Government, Burkhard Blienert, and conducted in coordination with the Federal Ministry of Health. The various federal ministries, which will be involved in drafting the bill, will also take part in the events of the consultation process.
From mid-June 2022, experts and civil society stakeholders will meet on several days to discuss relevant issues regarding the implementation of the controlled dispensing of cannabis. The exact dates are published on this site.
The aim of the consultation process is to involve the broadest possible range of relevant stakeholders in a structured manner, giving each group an equal opportunity to adequately express their point of view. This requires limiting the number of participants. The selection of participants is determined by the Drug and Addiction Commissioner in coordination with the Federal Ministry of Health as well as the other federal ministries. It is not possible to apply for participation. However, we will ensure transparency by publishing the topics, participants and – if possible – the key statements of those involved on the Drug and Addiction Commissioner’s website.
No. The precise production and distribution requirements are currently being worked out and will be defined later on in the legislative process.
At this point in time, these and similar questions are impossible to answer. These topics will be clarified later on in the legislative process.
I (14 June 2022): Health and consumer protection
II (15 June 2022): Youth protection and prevention
III (28 June 2022): Supply chains, economic and ecological issues
IV (29 June 2022): Criminal liability, inspection measures and licencing
V (30 June 2022): International Expert Hearing – conference on international experience
Date: 14 June 2022, 9.00-16.00
Date: 15 June 2022, 9.00-16.00
Date: 28 June 2022, 9.00-16.00
Date: 29 June 2022, 9.00-16.00
Date: 30.06.2022, 9.00-16.00