German officials are taking the first steps to legalize marijuana nationwide this week, kicking off a hearing series that will help inform legislation to end prohibition in the country.
Leaders of the coalition government said last year that they had reached an agreement to end cannabis prohibition and enact regulations for a legal industry, and they previewed certain details of that plan earlier this year. Now the wheels are in motion to craft the specifics of actual legalization legislation, with officials announcing on Monday that they will be holding five hearings featuring international experts to discuss various aspects and implications of the policy change.
Commissioner for Addiction and Drug Issues Burkhard Blienert said in a press release on Monday, the 13th of June, that “the time has come” to move forward, according to a translation.
“We are starting the preparatory phase of legislation,” he said. “Being able to finally announce this is a special, gratifying moment for me personally. Like many others, I have been working for years to ensure that we in Germany finally stop criminalizing cannabis users and start a modern and health-oriented cannabis policy.”
Read more at marijuanamoment.net