Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach wants to secure the plans for a controlled legalization of cannabis with an expert opinion. Confidential talks with the EU Commission have shown that "very good arguments" are needed to convince them of the path they have taken, said the SPD politician on Tuesday in Berlin.

In addition to the legislative preparations, a scientific report should therefore be commissioned. The achievability of the goals of pushing back the black market and at the same time not expanding consumption as a whole and achieving better child and youth protection should be made clear.

Draft law in the second half of 2023 in the Bundestag?

Lauterbach said he was firmly convinced that this could be presented on the basis of the report. There will be no delays as a result. The draft law is expected to be ready by the end of the first quarter of 2023. The Federal Government then intends to submit it to the EU Commission for approval of the model in principle (notification). If things go well, the draft could come to the Bundestag in the second half of the year, said Lauterbach.

At the end of October, the cabinet decided on the key points for the controlled delivery planned by the coalition. Cannabis and the active ingredient tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) should therefore no longer be legally classified as narcotics. The acquisition and possession of up to 30 grams of cannabis should go unpunished, private cultivation should be allowed to a limited extent and sale to adults in "licensed specialist shops" and possibly also pharmacies should be possible. However, Lauterbach only wants to introduce a law if the plans stand up to an examination in Brussels under European and international law.

Lauterbach explained that it is not about legalizing the black market as in the Dutch solution. It is planned to also involve international scientists in the report, which should primarily analyze medical aspects.