The heated bundestag debate on CanG: A step towards cannabis legalisation?

The introduction of the CanG draft to the bundestag

After prolonged anticipation and further delays, the CanG cabinet draft was introduced to the Bundestag for its first reading on Wednesday, 18th October. Various factions presented their respective positions through the speeches of their representatives.

Reiteration of established positions

For those who have been closely following the legalisation process since the coalition agreement of the traffic light government, the statements from the factions might have sounded all too familiar. However, there were compelling reasons to tune into the parliamentary debate. Advocates for legalisation are still hopeful for crucial amendments before the law is finally passed.

It was expected that parties like CDU and AfD would resort to ideological rhetoric rather than factual arguments. Hence, the spotlight was primarily on the contributions from the ruling parties. Prominent speakers like Dirk Heidenblut, Kirsten Kappert-Gonter, Christine Lüdkte, and Carmen Wegge, who have been in dialogue with activists, associations, and representatives of the legalisation movement, took the stage.

Critiques and concerns voiced by Ampel coalition and the left

As previously indicated by Carmen Wegge and Dirk Heidenblut, the speeches by these experts highlighted major points of contention in the draft. Issues such as distance regulations and consumption bans within cultivation associations were brought to the fore. It was repeatedly pointed out that monitoring distances, the number of cultivated plants, and cannabis harvest or possession quantities would entail significant effort and might sometimes be unfeasible.

The Left's statement was particularly noteworthy. They pinpointed numerous flaws in the draft and asserted that not just concerning cannabis, but for all drugs, a shift away from criminal prosecution is warranted.

Union and AfD: Out of touch with reality?

When members of the AfD or the Union faction tried to move beyond populist slogans and sought to present arguments, they often seemed detached from the realities on the ground. A common misrepresentation was the notion that decriminalising cannabis would lead to increased consumption.

The fact that millions in Germany already consume cannabis and that children can easily access it was consistently overlooked.

The fervour against the proposed legalisation was noticeably subdued. It appears that opponents of legalisation in the Bundestag are acutely aware that they play a mere supporting role in the ongoing parliamentary process and will have minimal influence on the final CanG.

The path forward: A paradigm shift in cannabis policy?

The introduction of the CanG draft and the subsequent debate in the Bundestag signify a potential turning point in Germany's stance on cannabis. While the path to legalisation is fraught with challenges and disagreements, the very fact that such discussions are taking place at the highest legislative level is a testament to the changing perceptions around cannabis.

As the debate rages on, it remains to be seen how the final version of the CanG will address the concerns raised by various factions. What is clear, however, is that the conversation around cannabis legalisation in Germany has moved from the fringes to the centre stage, reflecting a broader global trend towards re-evaluating drug policies.