After decision of legalizationHoletschek: "Stoner ideology of traffic lights has triumphed over common sense"

The cabinet decided on Wednesday to partially legalize cannabis. Bavaria's Health Minister Klaus Holetschek (CSU) is appalled and calls the plans "irresponsible". They posed a "great danger" to the health of young people.

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Berlin. Bavaria's Health Minister Klaus Holetschek (CSU) has sharply criticized the partial legalization of cannabis initiated by the cabinet . "It is irresponsible that the federal government has not stopped the crazy course of legalization, despite the broad criticism from doctors, the police and the judiciary," said the CSU politician to the editorial network Germany (RND). "The stoner ideology of the traffic light coalition has thus triumphed over common sense."

CSU fears health consequences

The minister warned of health consequences for young people. "This path leads in the wrong direction with a high risk and poses a great risk to the health of young people in particular. I don't understand how one can be in favor of such a concept as Federal Minister of Health against one's better knowledge and against all reason and contrary to the advice of many experts." Holetschek referred to the warnings of the paediatricians.

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The Minister of Health also criticized the information campaign that was also presented on Wednesday. "It is naïve to think that Lauterbach's planned cannabis-dangers awareness-raising campaign will deter the most vulnerable young people from using it," he said. He warned that the federal government would cut spending on educational measures by 4 million euros to 9.2 million euros. That doesn't go together.

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Holetschek asked the traffic light to focus on the challenges in care instead of cannabis legalization. “Our health and care system is facing huge challenges. These include the nursing shortage, a sensible hospital reform and the shortage of medicines," warned the Christsoziale. "Lauterbach urgently needs to change his priorities."

The cabinet approved the limited legalization of cannabis on Wednesday. The law still has to go through the Bundestag and Bundesrat, but it does not require the approval of the state chamber. The law would remove cannabis from the list of prohibited substances in the Narcotics Act. Possession of 25 grams should be allowed from the age of 18. A maximum of three cannabis plants should be allowed to be grown privately. In so-called cannabis clubs, members should be allowed to grow the drug.

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CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt also sharply criticized. "The 'cannabis for all' law of the arrogance traffic light is absolutely irresponsible and an attack on youth and health protection in Germany," said the member of the Bundestag on Wednesday. "Probably never before has a federal government so audaciously ignored the warnings of almost all experts from medicine, the police and the judiciary on such a sensitive issue." The compass was completely lost in the traffic light.