The German government has taken its first step towards legalising cannabis in Germany, with expert testimony on the liberalisation of cannabis laws beginning on Tuesday.

German Health Minister hopes to introduce new cannabis laws by end of 2022

One of the policies included in the German government’s coalition agreement was the legalisation and regulation of recreational cannabis use. On Tuesday, the government took its first step towards legalising cannabis by beginning the first five rounds of expert testimony on the liberalisation of cannabis laws.

Expert testimony is the first step in creating new laws in Germany. Lawmakers will attend presentations by around 200 experts on everything related to the legalisation of cannabis; from ecological planning and supply to addiction. Lawmakers will also hear from legal experts during the expert testimony period, which is expected to last until the end of June.

Germany’s Federal Health Minister, Karl Lauterbach, has stated that he wants to present a new set of cannabis laws to the Bundestag in the second half of 2022.

"Cannabis, but safe"

The first presentation of expert testimony, which will take place behind closed doors in Berlin, was titled “Cannabis, but safe” and was given by Burkhard Blienert, the government’s drug policy expert.

Blienert has campaigned for years for Germany to relax its cannabis laws and has since expressed his delight at the recent developments. He also promised to "particularly protect children and teenagers from risk," when shaping Germany’s new cannabis policies.