Cannabis legalization: SPD domestic politician Sebastian Fiedler announces no

Enlarge image

SPD politician Sebastian Fiedler: “My professional ethics as a criminal investigator do not allow me to take any other stance.”

Photo:

Bernd Elmenthaler / IMAGO

Cannabis legalization is one of the traffic light's prestige socio-political projects. There had been discord within the coalition for months, but now the deputy leaders of the government factions have announced an agreement. But this is obviously not acceptable for all MPs. “I will vote no,” says SPD MP and domestic politician Sebastian Fiedler.

"I cannot agree to a law that leads to the decriminalization of dealers and pointless extra work for the police," Fiedler told SPIEGEL. Organized crime is laughing up its sleeve. »My professional ethics as a criminal investigator do not allow me to adopt any other attitude.«

Fiedler emphasized that he was not generally against legalization. "I would have really liked to see decriminalization of users of all substances - without these negative side effects." His announced rejection comes as no surprise. Fiedler had already expressed sharp criticism of the project last autumn. Since then, from his point of view, nothing has obviously been done to change his attitude.

It can be heard from the SPD parliamentary group that, in addition to Fiedler, other MPs are apparently considering possibly voting against the project. However, when fully occupied, the traffic light has a majority of 49 votes - so even with a few votes against, the passage of the law would probably not be at risk.

However, the law must also pass the Federal Council before it comes into force. The interior ministers of the federal states recently unanimously positioned themselves against the project in its current form.

The faction leaders still want to stick to the current version. “The regulations are a real milestone for a modern drug policy that strengthens prevention and improves health, child and youth protection,” says a joint statement by the deputy parliamentary group leaders Konstantin Kuhle (FDP), Maria Klein-Schmeink (Greens). ) and Dagmar Schmidt (SPD). “In addition, consumers will be decriminalized and the black market will be effectively combated.”

Apparently no significant changes were made to the content of the plans before the agreement was announced on Thursday evening. The SPD, Greens and FDP had already agreed in November to remove cannabis from the list of banned substances in the Narcotics Act. Home cultivation and possession of certain amounts of the drug will be permitted for adults from April 1, 2024. Clubs for joint cultivation should be possible on July 1st.

The law could come as early as April 1st, the three parliamentary group vice-chairmen said. However, the schedule is tight: the law must first pass through the Bundestag. Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) had named the week from February 19th to 23rd for the adoption of the project in parliament. The Federal Council will then also have to deal with the plans - but the state chamber will not meet again until the end of March. If the Federal Council raises an objection, the schedule would not be possible.

so-called/dpa