Germany: On the path of legalization?

Cannabis has been an important talking point during the coalition talks between the leading parties in Germany since the recent elections. Three major parties have a similar pro-legalization stance – the Green party, the neoliberal Free Democrats (FDP), and the center-left Social Democrats (SPD).

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The Greens argue that legalization would reduce organized crime by putting an end on illegal sales. The FDP emphasizes the revenue that could be earned by the state from taxing cannabis buds, pre-rolled joints, and edibles.

This Wednesday, the Social Democrat health expert Karl Lauterbach has urged the government to legalize cannabis.

If this comes into fruition, Germany could become the second EU member to fully legalize cannabis, after Luxembourg.