Living in Bavaria means being close to nature and having easy access to the mountains. Economically, Bavaria is a very strong location, attracting a growing number of technology companies and providing a stable job market. HOWEVER, some things here are still stuck in the Stone Age. I'm not just talking about renewable energies (the 10H rule for wind turbines), but even in the area of digitalization, Bavaria is still lagging behind. The issue of cannabis legalization is also still a sacred cow for conservatives in Bavaria, dragged out at every opportunity.
And the Bavarian police are very strict about this, even if they themselves aren't averse to consumption ( see the various cases in Munich concerning drug abuse by the Bavarian police ). They're quite happy to shoot or even kill a small-time cannabis dealer in rural areas. It's not like he was running off with a truckload and the police had to stop him in self-defense. No, it was a lot that a police officer in Berlin wouldn't even bat an eye at. Bavaria has always had problems with proportionality, see also the diesel driving bans, the Corona mask deals, etc...
One could be cynical and say, well, Bavaria is a beer-loving country, a land of alcoholics where youth protection is applied with a double standard. But what about legalization across Germany? ( And I hope Bavaria isn't trying to, or being able to, go its own way again as a "free state." )
Current status as of February 2023
In recent years, the legalization of cannabis has gained worldwide attention. In Germany, a law on the medical use of cannabis was passed in January 2017, but full legalization for recreational purposes remains a controversial issue.
In February 2023, the debate on legalizing cannabis for recreational use is at a critical juncture. The political landscape has shifted in recent months, increasing the likelihood of legislative change. However, many concerns remain regarding the societal impact of legalization, particularly concerning youth and the management of problematic use.
Several German states, including Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia, have already submitted their own draft laws to legalize cannabis, but a uniform regulation at the federal level is still pending.
It remains to be seen how the debate will develop in the coming months, but it is clear that a change in cannabis legislation in Germany will remain a hotly debated topic. Until then, we must deal with the current legal situation, which states that the consumption, possession, and sale of cannabis are illegal, except in medical cases.
It is important to continue the discussion on the legalization of cannabis in order to make a fair and well-considered decision that meets both the needs of patients and the concerns of society.
Far removed from a modern society
Anyone with plenty of time and who enjoys spending time online should definitely follow the Twitter accounts of Hubert "Hubsi" Aiwanger and Klaus "Hopfen" Holletscheck. There you'll regularly find funny, and sometimes just plain stupid and uninformed, comments on the topic of cannabis legalization.
In Bavaria, you sometimes get the feeling that Prohibition is back, but this time not against alcohol. Because an Oktoberfest, a mass drinking binge without alcohol, would be the nightmare of the ruling parties in Bavaria. I'm curious to see when one of them will want to reinstate witch burnings. I'd also like to know which breweries in Bavaria these two gentlemen own shares in. There's no other way to explain such a denial of reality and out-of-touch attitude in 2023... ( Wait a minute, the Bavarian State Chancellery still has a fax number!)
And even in Austria, there are already CBD vending machines in parking lots, with limits that would make any Bavarian police officer gasp for air...
Should I suddenly disappear after this blog post and be dragged off to the pig-breeding tundra of Lower Bavaria to wash hop blossoms by hand, please start a petition or get me out of there. Thank you very much...
