European Leaders Meet In Berlin To Discuss Cannabis Policies

Commissioner on Narcotic Drugs at the Federal Ministry of Health Burkhard Blienert has invited delegations from various European countries to exchange experiences on regulating cannabis for non-medical purposes.

According to the official press release, participants include ministerial representatives from Luxembourg Malta, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Switzerland and Germany, as well as experts from academia, civil society and senior representatives of the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA). The meetings are to be held on Monday and Tuesday.

“We can only address the health risks associated with the rising global use of cannabis and the threats posed by organized drug crime with modern drug policy approaches and in collaboration with like-minded nations," Blienert stated.

This ministerial exchange builds on consultations held in 2022 in Luxembourg and 2023 in Malta. The focus is on initial experiences with regulating non-medical cannabis, as well as prevention and evidence-based approaches. The participating governments intend to continue this exchange in the coming years.

Partial cannabis legalization took effect in Germany on April 1, making it the third country in the European Union to legalize adult-use cannabis after Malta andLuxembourg. Under this first pillar of cannabis legalization, adults over 18 can legally possess up to 25 grams of dried cannabis flower and cultivate up to three marijuana plants at home. One of the biggest breakthroughs under the law is that medical cannabis is essentially regulated like ibuprofen.

The German government is working on the second pillar of its cannabis legalization law – setting up municipal five-year pilot programs for state-controlled marijuana to be sold in licensed shops. Moreover, it was recently confirmed that recreational cannabis sales will launch in Hannover and Frankfurt next year under a pilot program set to last five years.

Read Also: German Medical Marijuana Sales To Reach $1.09B By 2028, New Report

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Focus On Reducing The Health Risks

“Despite decades of prohibition and criminal prosecution, cannabis has been and remains one of the most commonly consumed psychoactive substances in Europe and worldwide," Blienert stated. "Its availability, use, and – due to increasing THC levels – its risks to health have steadily risen over the past decade. It was clear something needed to change. I am confident that through evidence-based prevention, enhanced education, and the decriminalization of personal cultivation achieved with Germany’s cannabis consumption law, we will significantly reduce the health risks associated with non-medical cannabis use. We will also make substantial progress in curbing the black market."

A recent laboratory analysis by one of Germany's leading cannabis companies focusing on medicinal marijuana, CBD wellness products and adult-use cannabis, Sanity Group, revealed that 80% of samples from black market are contaminated. These contaminants included traces of human and animal feces, COVID-19, influenza viruses, cocaine, ketamine, methamphetamine, and MDMA were also detected, suggesting cross-contamination during packaging. Pesticides found, including chlorfenapyr, trifloxystrobin, and paclobutrazol are not only unsuitable for human consumption but are even banned for agricultural use in the EU. Sanity Group analyzed "street cannabis" collected from 30 German and 10 other European cities, including Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, London and Madrid.

Blienert concluded that even though he is positive about the reform, it is important to realize that this is "breaking new ground," and that is why it's "essential comprehensively evaluate every step and establish a close exchange of experiences with other European nations that have taken or plan to take similar steps. This is why I have invited delegations to Berlin this week.”

The news follows recent speculation that cannabis reform might be at risk, due to the recent collapse of Germany’s coalition government. However, not all industry experts see it that way. Niklas Kouparanis, CEO of Bloomwell says recent cannabis progress will continue. "Additionally, a complete withdrawal of the CanG bill that has already been implemented since April would be a total logistical nightmare," Kouparanis said as reported by Benzinga's Rolando García. “Even extremely reactionary politicians wouldn’t have the time or motivation to take that on."

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