Germany's conservative CDU/CSU alliance has vowed to overturn the partial legalization of cannabis if they secure victory in the February 2024 election.
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Tino Sorge, the bloc's health policy spokesperson, emphasized their focus on "safety and order," dismissing the legalization policy implemented by Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government as harmful.
Sorge and his colleagues argue that the policy, which permits limited cannabis cultivation and consumption, has inadvertently opened the door to organized crime, with opposition lawmakers citing concerns over Dutch drug gang activity. Silke Launert, another CDU/CSU representative, described the legalization as an invitation for criminal enterprises.
Scholz's government has defended the policy as a way to regulate existing cannabis use, protect minors, and combat illegal markets. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, a Social Democrat, urged patience, arguing that legalization is intended to make consumption safer and reflect real-world usage trends. A 2021 survey from the Health Ministry found that 4.5 million German adults had used cannabis in the prior year, particularly among those aged 18-24.
The early election, scheduled for February 23, was triggered by the collapse of Scholz's coalition over budget disagreements. While current polling puts the CDU/CSU alliance ahead with over 30%, they will likely need to form a coalition to govern. This could complicate their plans to reverse legalization, particularly if they partner with Scholz’s Social Democrats, who remain committed to the reform.
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