Well-Being - Lauterbach claims Bavaria displays dishonesty regarding cannabis.
Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has criticized the CSU-led Bavarian state government for its inconsistent stance on intoxicants like cannabis and alcohol. He was responding to numerous public smoking bans, including at the Munich Oktoberfest, and stated that such actions make politics untrustworthy. "They pretend that federal laws don't apply in Bavaria, but that's not the case," he said at a public event in Berlin celebrating 75 years of the Basic Law.
In a lighthearted moment, Lauterbach chimed, "If people are so drunk they can't find their way to the toilet and end up lying in the dirt, then whether they have a joint or two shouldn't matter" - drawing laughter from the audience. Accompanied by Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens), Lauterbach fielded questions about cannabis use at the democracy festival.
The Bavarian state government had initially resisted the cannabis law, implementing new bans on consumption in public spaces like festivals and aggressively enforcing fines.
Bavaria's Health Minister Judith Gerlach dismissed Lauterbach's accusation as "absurd" and stood by the state's position. She defended the decision to exhaust the federal government's framework for cannabis fines, arguing that protecting young people from drug use is a priority. "It's completely insane that the federal government denies the risks of cannabis," she argued.
Lauterbach clarified that no taxes would be collected on cannabis - unlike those on tobacco or alcohol. "That's not on the cards," he said. The proposal of selling cannabis in stores like cigarettes was previously considered, but this isn't feasible under European law. "We opted for a cooperative model instead," Lauterbach revealed, emphasizing that these cooperatives only grow cannabis for their members' own use, have no profit motive, and pay no taxes. Mocking Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP), he joked, "Mr. Lindner - that one really did us in because we have such high regard for him - Mr. Lindner walks away empty-handed."
Read also:
- Leverkusen claims victory in the cup, securing a double triumph.
- Does the SVolt factory in Saarland face stability issues?
- Furor surrounding Sylt scandal footage
- Aachen, Essen, and Bielefeld Triumph in State Cup Matches
Source: www.stern.de