The President of the Bundesärztekammer (German Medical Association), Klaus Reinhardt, has expressed his hope that the proposed legalisation of cannabis in Germany does not come to force. In an interview with the Mediengruppe Bayern, he emphasised his belief that this legislative initiative is among the most unnecessary.
Critique of the legalisation proposal
Reinhardt did not mince words when expressing his disapproval of the cannabis legalisation proposal. He was deeming it as one of the most unnecessary legislative endeavours. He acknowledged reports suggesting that the reform might face resistance from SPD politicians. Moreover, he stated that he would welcome such an outcome. According to Reinhardt, the concerns raised by politicians calling for a revision of the proposal are valid.
One of the key points of contention is the perceived inadequacy of the draft legislation in addressing child and youth protection. He criticised the proposed framework. According to Reinhardt, it fails to safeguard the well-being of minors. Specifically, he highlighted the potential negative impact of regular cannabis consumption on individuals below the age of 23, whose brain maturation is not yet complete. Reinhardt strongly argued that permitting cannabis use from the age of 18, as proposed, is “absolutely irresponsible” from a medical standpoint.
Criticising Health Minister Karl Lauterbach
Reinhardt did not limit his critique to the proposed legislation but also directed it towards the communication strategy of the Federal Minister of Health, Karl Lauterbach. While acknowledging Lauterbach’s good intentions, Reinhardt expressed concerns about the minister’s ability to navigate the complexities of political decision-making processes effectively.
Additionally, he remarked on Lauterbach’s ambitious agenda, suggesting that perhaps the minister has taken on too much. Reinhardt emphasised the pivotal role of effective communication in the success of complex political decisions. According to him, Lauterbach has not always demonstrated a skillful approach in dealing with various stakeholders and levels of government.
Klaus Reinhardt’s concerns add depth to the legalisation’s discourse. Overall, he highlights the potential impact on youth, coupled with his criticism of the communication strategy of Health Minister Karl Lauterbach. And, as the discussions continue, we will see if these concerns will influence cannabis legalisation proposal in Germany.