North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) has chosen to oppose the legalisation of cannabis and the creation of model region.
Why is North Rhine-Westphalia opposite?
The approval of such cannabis model projects has been categorically opposed by the NRW Ministry of Health in Düsseldorf. Several political parties, including the SPD, Greens, Volt, FDP, and Left Party, initially supported the idea. However, it now appears that the intentions for Cologne in NRW to become a cannabis model region may not go as planned.
One of the reasons the Ministry of Health opposed the model projects was worries about the health. According to the Ministry, cannabis-related brain damage in young persons under the age of 25. They also pointed out that the federal government has not offered any suggestions for how the proposed model regions could operate. They did not refer to any international and European legal standards.
Will NRW be another model region for cannabis?
The ministry spokesperson said that no comment can be made at this time about the standards for selecting model areas because they are awaiting a legislative proposal anticipated in the fall of 2023. Other cities, like Münster, had also applied to serve as model locations for the distribution of cannabis alongside Cologne.
Regional model project for North Rhine-Westphalia approval is not currently permitted by the federal cannabis draft law as it stands. Therefore, it seems that without reforms at the federal level, the desire for Cologne and other cities to become cannabis model regions will face serious difficulties.
As of right now, we are aware that cities like Frankfurt, Offenbach, and Mainz want to be role models. Additionally, there are a growing number of Cannabis Social Clubs in Germany.