bFederal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach has expressed cautious optimism that the controversial legalization of cannabis can clear the final hurdle in the Federal Council. “I assume that we will be able to do that on Friday,” said the SPD politician on Wednesday in Berlin. “However, we will really fight for every single abstention or approval here, so I remain confident that we can get past the mediation committee.”

Lauterbach emphasized: “I am fighting to ensure that the law is actually passed. It depends on each individual federal state.” He is in direct contact with the prime ministers and has now prepared a protocol statement for the Federal Council in which many of the states’ concerns have been addressed.

Among other things, it holds out the prospect of easing the regulations for the planned cultivation associations, as first reported by the Editorial Network Germany (RND). Inspections should therefore no longer have to be carried out annually, but only “regularly”. Commercialization of the cultivation associations should also be avoided. Increased prevention is also emphasized.

According to the law passed by the Bundestag, possession and cultivation of the drug, with numerous requirements, should be permitted for adults to consume themselves from April 1st. As of July 1st, associations for communal cultivation should also be able to be set up. The law comes to the Federal Council on Friday. It doesn't require approval there, but the state chamber could call the joint mediation committee with the Bundestag and thus slow down the process. Lauterbach had made it clear that the Union would be completely blocked in such proceedings.