(Gemini Audio)
(de-news.net) – In anticipation of the forthcoming presentation of an interim report evaluating Germany’s partial legalization of cannabis, Mario Voigt (CDU), Minister-President of Thuringia, has reiterated his strong opposition to the existing legislation. Voigt publicly called for the complete repeal of the Cannabis Act, arguing that the law represents a fundamentally misguided and structurally unsound approach to drug policy in Germany. He emphasized that piecemeal revisions or technical adjustments would be insufficient to address the law’s inherent deficiencies. Instead, he urged policymakers to engage in a comprehensive reassessment of the legislation’s core objectives and societal implications. In statements to the Mediengruppe Bayern, Voigt dismissed the need for a formal evaluation, asserting that the law’s failure was self-evident and did not require further analysis.
The Cannabis Act, which came into effect in April of the previous year, introduced a framework for the partial legalization of cannabis, permitting limited cultivation, possession, and consumption under regulated conditions. As stipulated by the original legislation—enacted under the former “traffic light” coalition government—a formal review process was mandated to assess its impact. This evaluation is currently being conducted by academic experts from the University of Tübingen, as well as the University Medical Centers in Hamburg-Eppendorf and Düsseldorf. The Federal Ministry of Health has outlined the principal areas of focus for the review, which include safeguarding children and adolescents, defining permissible possession thresholds, and regulating the quantities distributed by cannabis clubs.
Federal Drug Commissioner Hendrik Streeck (CDU) previously cautioned against expecting definitive conclusions from the upcoming evaluation. In an interview in mid-September, Streeck noted that while a clear comparative analysis of cannabis consumption before and after legalization would be ideal, he anticipated that the findings would likely reflect a complex and heterogeneous picture. He further explained that meaningful societal shifts typically require a period of five to ten years before they can be reliably measured, suggesting that any immediate conclusions drawn from the current data should be approached with caution.
Streeck also expressed concern regarding the blurred boundaries between recreational and medical cannabis use. He advocated for a clearer and more enforceable distinction between the two categories, warning against the potential for physicians to inadvertently assume the role of cannabis distributors. This concern is particularly relevant in light of the current practice of prescribing medical cannabis through telemedicine platforms. In this context, Streeck endorsed the position of Federal Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU), calling for the implementation of stricter regulatory measures to prevent misuse and ensure the integrity of medical cannabis protocols.
