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Australian Medical Association Opposes Cannabis Legalization Measure

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

Lawmakers in Australia’s Parliament are currently considering a bill that would legalize cannabis for adult use. The ‘Legalising Cannabis Bill 2023‘ was introduced by Greens Senator David Shoebridge, an outspoken proponent of modernizing Australia’s cannabis policies.

According to the summary of the bill, the measure “establishes the Cannabis Australia National Agency as a statutory agency to register cannabis strains and regulate activities relating to cannabis including: growing and possessing cannabis plants; manufacturing and selling cannabis products; operating cannabis cafes; and importing and exporting cannabis products.”

The measure was first introduced and read for the first time on August 10, 2023, and is currently sitting in the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee. The committee is accepting submissions, and for better or worse, the Australian Medical Association weighed in. Per the Milton Ulladulla Times:

A proposed federal Bill that would legalise cannabis for adult recreational use in Australia must be scrapped, according to the Australian Medical Association (AMA).

The AMA has set out its opposition to the Bill in its submission to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, saying there were many short-term and long-term risks posed by recreational cannabis.

The association’s submission was full of classic reefer madness talking points, many of which seem to fail to take into consideration the overwhelming success of adult-use legalization in Canada and Uruguay.

It’s an interesting irony that while Australia’s Medical Association is making claims that adult-use legalization would hurt its nation’s public health outcomes, lawmakers in Europe are pushing for legalization to boost public health outcomes.

In countries that prohibit cannabis, such as Australia, consumers make their purchases from unregulated sources and it’s anyone’s guess what was used to cultivate the unregulated cannabis that the sources provide. A significant amount of humans will always consume cannabis, and when that cannabis is unregulated and contaminated, consuming it can cause issues.

The Australian Medical Association, much like many cannabis opponents, fails to accept the reality of the situation. They seem to think that if cannabis is prohibited, that humans will not consume it. Obviously, that has never been the case at any point during the era of cannabis prohibition.

ExpoMedeWeed 2023

ExpoMedeWeed Is Coming To Colombia On November 24th-26th

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Business, Policy.

Colombia is one of the most exciting places for all things cannabis right now. As the nation continues to work toward modernizing its cannabis policies the South American nation is rapidly becoming an international cannabis industry leader.

An amazing event is coming up in Colombia at the end of the month and we are encouraging people to attend. Below is more information about the event:

ExpoMedeWeed is an annual event that has established itself as the epicenter for the integration of businesses, knowledge, and culture around the Cannabis industry. As tradition dictates, this sixth edition is accompanied by the International Medical Cannabis Seminar, a top-level academic space that brings together prominent researchers, academics, and professionals with the aim of exploring issues in depth, updating concepts, and creating crucial initiatives to drive the generation and dissemination of knowledge for the Cannabis industry.

This fair, organized by MERCOAGRÍCOLA S.A.S., will take place on November 24, 25, and 26, 2023, at the Plaza Mayor Convention and Exhibition Center in the city of Medellín – Colombia. It offers attendees and exhibitors the opportunity to interact in the trade show, the academic seminar, and the business matchmaking event for the industry, activities that will take place during this important event.

Our main topic for this year is the Dissemination of pedagogical approaches for teaching medicinal cannabis industry knowledge at both national and international levels. an approach based on the following thematic axes:

1. Medical cannabis supply chain
Lessons learned of projects that link activities related to the medical cannabis supply chain such as: small and medium growers, agro-industrial processes, manufacturing, import and/or export.

2. Contribution to the health area
Projects aimed at developing activities of production, distribution and consumption of goods and services whose main or exclusive objectives are to promote the health of individuals or population groups.

3. Legislation and research
Approach to the correct reading and interpretation of the regulations established for the production, use and research of medical cannabis in Colombia.

We look forward to having you at the ExpoMedeWeed 2023.

Purchase tickets at: www.expomedeweed.com

Contact us:

info@expomedeweed.com
www.expomedeweed.com

Canada Canadian Flag

Support For Canadian Legalization Is Strong 5 Years After Legalization

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

In many ways, Canada provides the best insight into what people can expect when a nation passes an adult-use cannabis legalization measure. Canada became just the second nation to ever pass a national legalization measure in 2018, with the only other nation having done so prior being Uruguay in 2013.

However, unlike Uruguay, Canada permits nationwide sales to anyone of legal age, regardless of resident status. Uruguay only permits legal adult-use sales to people of legal age who are residents of Uruguay. Additionally, Canada is the only G-7 nation to pass such a measure.

Beyond Uruguay and Canada, the only other two nations to pass national measures are Malta and Luxembourg, both of which have legalization models that are exponentially less robust than what is found in Canada. The two European nations also have a combined population that is only roughly a million people compared to Canada’s population of over 38 million people.

For over five years Canada has served as the international leader for national, legal adult-use cannabis commerce. Cannabis opponents often try to claim that there will be ‘buyer remorse’ after a national legalizes cannabis for adult use. So, with that in mind, what do Canadians think roughly half a decade after their lawmakers implemented national adult-use reform?

According to a recent poll conducted by Research Co., a strong majority of Canadians are still in favor of legalization.

“Across the country, 64% of Canadians (-2) agree with marijuana being legal, while three-in-ten (31%, +1) disagree.” Research Co. stated regarding the survey results.

“Almost seven-in-ten Canadians (69%, +5) are in favour of the federal government providing expungement orders to people convicted of possession of cannabis for personal use with no intent to traffic.” Research Co. also stated.

The survey also found that only a small percentage of consumers reported refraining from making their purchases through legal outlets, which was a major goal of regulators in Canada.

“Canadians who have consumed marijuana after legalization where asked where they bought their product. Almost half (48%) state that “all” of their cannabis was acquired at a licensed retailer. Fewer than one-in-five (17%, -3) say “none” of it came from a licensed retailer.” Research Co. stated.

This is, of course, bad news for cannabis opponents, and great news for the rest of us who want to see cannabis policies based on logic, compassion, and fiscal responsibility. Cannabis prohibition is a failed public policy by every measure, and it would be wise for more countries to follow in Canada’s metaphorical footsteps.

germany flag germany flag

Legalization Vote Delayed In Germany

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

A long-awaited adult-use cannabis legalization vote was initially scheduled for this week in Germany, however, the vote was delayed until at least December. This likely means that German adult-use reform will not be achieved until next year.

The measure that is currently being considered by members of the Bundestag was largely championed by German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach. In its current form, the measure would permit the personal cultivation, possession, and consumption of cannabis by adults, as well as the eventual launch of noncommercial cannabis clubs.

Several lawmakers in Germany have expressed frustration with some of the provisions that are currently included in the legalization measure, as well as expressed frustration with how long the political process is taking:

Translated from German to English the social media post states, “The CannG will be decided in December. This means that we are not keeping to the schedule. I know this is a huge disappointment for many. That’s why this decision wasn’t easy for anyone. However, well-designed improvements are in all of our interests. ✊”

Reading between the lines a bit, Carmen Wegge’s social media post seems to indicate that the current adult-use legalization measure is evolving and that the delayed vote could be indicative of changes on the horizon. Obviously, only time will tell.

Currently, only two nations in Europe have passed a national adult-use legalization measure. Malta did so in late 2021, and Luxembourg did so earlier this year. Both legalization models are limited in scope, with Luxembourg’s legalization model being particularly narrow and only permitting cultivation, possession, and consumption.

According to the European Union, continental agreements prohibit robust national sales such as what is found in Canada and Uruguay. The two Western Hemisphere nations make up the remainder of the list of countries that have passed a national adult-use measure.

Many international cannabis observers have wondered if domestic lawmakers in Germany will push for reform provisions that go against the EU’s expressed limitations, and if so, where things will go from there. It appears that the earliest that may happen will be in 2024.

Hemp cannabis plant leaf sungrown outdoors garden

What Is The Difference Between Hemp And Cannabis?

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy, Science.

In the legal arena, as well as in the political arena, there is a difference between hemp and cannabis, even if hemp is essentially just a scientific botanical class of cannabis. Many governments around the world have passed measures to distinguish hemp from cannabis by establishing a tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) threshold for harvests.

Typically, the threshold is between .2% and 1% THC depending on the jurisdiction.

The legal and regulatory distinction between hemp and cannabis is a relatively new phenomenon in the grand scheme of human history. For centuries humans have made use of the hemp plant, regardless of what percentage of THC a particular plant contained.

Cannabis opponents try to lead people to believe that the cannabis plant is useless to humans, and that could not be farther from the truth. Humans harnessing the cannabis plant for a number of reasons pre-dates prohibition by several thousands of years.

Plant fibers were used historically to make various things, from rope to clothing, and other parts of the plant were used for medical and recreational purposes. It was those uses that presumably drove how humans looked at the cannabis plant for many years.

In the 1900s governments started to prohibit cannabis in all of its forms, including low-THC hemp. In recent years, governments have started to lift prohibition for low-THC hemp so that farmers, entrepreneurs, and medical companies can legally cultivate and make use of hemp crops.

The rise in popularity of cannabidiol (CBD) has largely driven low-THC policy modernization efforts across the globe. Lawmakers are seemingly far more likely to embrace reform measures that are narrowly tailored to boost the CBD industry than they are to embrace modernization efforts involving what is legally defined as cannabis (higher THC).

Ultimately, the current difference between hemp and cannabis is largely a legal one based on semantics. However, as time goes by and two different industries continue to rise, one focused on low-THC hemp and one focused on harvests that exceed regulatory THC limits for hemp, the confusion between the two may subside to some degree.

And yet, an emerging third sector of the industry could make the entire discussion moot faster than some observers think. It did not take long for innovative entrepreneurs to incorporate methods to extract enough euphoria-inducing cannabinoids from low-THC hemp to make products such as delta-8 and delta-9 products.

Government regulators were already struggling to regulate CBD, and that is now further compounded by the rise of hemp-derived non-CBD products in markets across the globe, particularly in North America and Europe.

It highlights the inefficiency of arbitrarily putting cannabis into hemp and non-hemp categories based only on a harvest’s THC content. If a farmer can legally cultivate what a government considers to be ‘hemp,’ then it should also be legal for products to be made from the harvests, even if the end products contain a high level of THC.

Furthermore, if products that are high in THC can be created from low-THC hemp harvests, then it logically follows that cannabis that is high in THC should be permitted to be cultivated as well. It is the only way that regulations can be consistently applied, and regulators should want that to happen just as much as the industry should want that to happen.

This article first appeared at TheTalmanGroup.com and is syndicated with special permission

symposium panel lecture presentation

Summary Of Slovenian Cannabis Presentation At The Medical Faculty, University Of Zenica 2023

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy, Science.

By Prof. Tamara Lah Turnšek

Invited by Semine Djeraković Siniković, nurse from the Zenica Cantonal Hospital, Vice-Dean for Scientific and Research Work, Assoc. dr. sc. Mirza Oruča and the dean of the Faculty of Medicine in Zenica, prof. dr. sc. Harun Hodžić.

Content of the Symposium:

David Neubauer presented his lecture on Use of cannabinoids and medicinal cannabis in severe neurological disorders of children. First he presented the trajectory of medicinal cannabis through centuries/millenia since it has been first used in Chinese pharmacopeia some 5000 years back, and until the recent events when cannabis was prohibited for nearly 100 years and nowadays when again his excellent treatment properties are being scientifically studied. Then he presented some new studies (some of them evidence-based) on use of cannabinoids in children with severe, resistant epilepsies/developmental encephalopathies in children and some other severe problems during childhood, like cerebral palsy and autism. In the last part of his talk he has presented own experiences with such treatment; namely the publication of cannabidiol (CBD) treatment for resistant epilepsies from 2018, where 20% of children were completely seizure-free after add-on introduction of cannabidiol and compared his study with some similar studies in systematic review articles, where other authors presented similar results. At the end he has presented some new on-going studies where medicinal cannabis with a ratio of cannabidiol (CBD) and 9-delta tetra hydro-cannabidiol (THC) – CBD:THC 10:1 has been used for severe forms of cerebral palsy (level IV and V) and severe behavioural problems in autism and neurodevelopmental syndromes, where also very good results are promising that this will be in the future one of the best therapy for such cases, where no other treatment option is available and effective.

David Neubauer, MD, PhD, Paediatrician and Child Neurologist, University of Ljubljana, Medical Faculty and University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Children’s Hospital, Department of Child, Adolescent & Developmental Neurology, Bohorićeva 20, 1000 Ljubljana

Tamara Lah Turnšek lectured on Cannabinoids in Cancer Treatment and presented the research, carried out at National Institute of Biology on the potential treatment of brain tumors, specifically on most aggressive glioblastoma with cannabinoids.

She started with the introduction on the discoveries of the “Godfather” of cannabinoid discovery, Dr. Raphael Mechoulam saying that the research on Cannabis, thousands of years old plant, opened are an undiscovered pharmacological treasure cannabinoids, and revealed physiologically important endocannabinoids system(ECS) that regulated our normal functioning- homeostasis. Endocannabinoids, synthetic and plant cannabinoids, the most important components of various species of Cannabis Sattiva L. bind to various body cells through specific receptors CB1 and CB2 and less specific ion transport receptors to influence cellular processes autophagy, apoptosis, the immune response, and stimulate neurological response.

The second part of the talk addressed the development, progression and hallmarks of cancer, how these processes are related to the disease and affected by cannabinoids that specifically kill cancer cells, moreover most malignant cancer stem cells. Trying various cannabinoids and their combinations on isolated cells from patients fresh tumours – glioblastoma, the scientist at NIB found a novel activity of less known cannabinoid, cannabigerol CBG, that alone and even more so in combination with cannabidiol (CBD) represents a novel, yet unexplored adjuvant treatment strategy for glioblastoma. Not being hallucinogenic, this cannabinoid can replace psychoactive 9 delta tetra hydro-cannabidiol (THC), having potential side effects on normal brain activity in complementary therapy of brain and possibly other tumours.

Prof. Tamara Lah Turnšek,PhD, Chief Science Officer The Talman Group.com. Cigaletova 7, 100 Ljubljana.

Jasna Kovač, lectured on “What and why a nurse should know about the medical use of cannabis and cannabinoids”. She showed the “Guidelines for Nursing Care of Patients Using Medical Cannabis the MEDCA association – an association of Slovenian nurses and other medical professionals, published by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing in the USA.” As the Chair of the “MEDCA association – an association of Slovenian nurses and other medical professionals” she introduced the association and the field of cannabis treatment. The MEDCA association updated the American Guidelines for Nursing Care of Patients Using Medical Cannabis Slovenian nurses. The first guideline is that the nurse shall be acquainted with the current state of legalization of medical and recreational cannabis use. In Slovenia from 2014, cannabis was re-categorized within the Decree on the classification of illicit drugs Stage II and has been permitted to be used for medical purposes. Other guidelines she mentioned were: (1) The nurse should have a general understanding of the endocannabinoid system, cannabinoid receptors, cannabinoids, and the interactions between them. (2) The nurse should have an understanding of the research associated with the medical use of cannabis. (3) The nurse must be familiar with the possibilities of prescribing and administering medical cannabis in their country. (4)The nurse should know the signs and symptoms of medical cannabis side effects on patients. (5) The nurse should report findings related to cannabis(6=is therapy to other healthcare providers and record them in the patient’s documentation. (6) The nurse should approach the patient without judgment regarding the patient’s choice of treatment or preferences in managing pain and other distressing symptoms. She ended the lecture by explaining why a nurse should have this knowledge. Here, she highlighted the importance of patient integrity, autonomy – the ability to make decisions, and the role of the nurse as their advocate, protector, and teacher.

Jasna Kovač, nurse at Clinics of Cardiology University Medical. Centre, Zaloška 2, 1000 Ljubljana

Roman Štukelj, presented his lecture on “Active compounds in cannabis; extraction and analytics.” First, in the introduction to the lecture, he presented the current activities (organization of educational seminars and research work) related to cannabis at the Faculty of Health. In the second part, he explained the potential therapeutic applications of cannabinoids and terpenes, as well as the methods for extracting them to obtain full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or isolated products. In the last part, he presented the analytical results of the “Slovenian monitoring of cannabis product.” The samples for monitoring and cannabinoid analysis were collected by the Research Nature Institute. These samples were labeled and taken to the Faculty Analytical Laboratory for cannabinoid profiling. A total of 290 samples were collected over two years. For the study, 286 samples were used, as four of them were excluded due to their small quantity. The samples were categorized according to the recommendations of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Statistical calculations revealed that the majority of the analysed samples were cannabis oil (74%), followed by dried herbal cannabis (11%), and 3% were cannabis resin (sometimes referred to as “pollinators” or “ice-o-lators.”Additionally, suppositories, tinctures, and salves were received and grouped as “other” (12%). The origin of the monitored samples showed that the vast majority were from the self-sufficiency group of unknown origin (referred to as the “black market”) and the industry (72%, 23%, and 5% respectively). The average total concentrations of Δ-9-THC and CBD in the samples from the industry were all CBD-rich samples. Seven of them were in herbal form, while six were oils. The average values of the total Δ-9-THC in this group of samples were 18.8 mg/g, and 129.7 mg/g for the total CBD. In the population of unknown origin (referred to as the “black market”), the average value of the total CBD was 117.2 mg/g, and the average total Δ-9-THC was 371.1 mg/g. Samples from self-sufficient patients were in the form of oils, herbal products, and others (151, 23, and 34, respectively). Out of these, 34 of the samples had CBD as the dominant cannabinoid, three samples had a ratio of 1:1, while the others had Δ-9-THC as the dominant cannabinoid present in the sample. In conclusion, it was found that in Slovenia, the majority of cannabis patients prefer THC as their primary option, often in the form of extracts. Since the contamination by unwanted substances and potency of the products varies greatly, there is a need for further monitoring at a national level.

Roman Štukelj, Ph.D, Researcher at Analytical Laboratory Faculty of Health Sciences at University of Ljubljana, Zdravstvena pot 5, p.p. 397, 1000 Ljubljana

Božidar Radišič, the founder of the Research Nature Institute, an institution known for organizing scientific conferences in Slovenia and overseas for over a decade, emphasized the pivotal role of education in the integration of cannabis into medical practice. This underscores the importance of medical faculties and other professional organizations taking the lead in educating individuals in this field. The packed auditorium at the college stands as a testament to the enthusiastic desire among young people to acquire knowledge about cannabis in the context of medicine. Furthermore, it’s noteworthy that cannabis is experiencing a significant resurgence in Šharmacopoeias and medical practices worldwide, USA, Canada, Australia also including some states in the European Union, i.e. Germany. With any luck, thanks to today’s event, this resurgence will also extend to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Lastly, it’s crucial to acknowledge the dedicated efforts of individuals such as Semine Djeraković Siniković, a nurse from the Zenica Cantonal Hospital, Assoc. Dr. Sc. Mirza Oruča, the Vice-Dean for Scientific and Research Work, and Prof. Dr. Sc. Harun Hodžića, the dean of the Faculty of Medicine in Zenica. We express our sincere gratitude to them.

Božidar Radišič. the Research Nature Institute. Mala ulica 8, 1000 Ljubljana

This article first appeared at TheTalmanGroup.com and is syndicated with special permission

International Cannabis Business Conference Exhibitors Berlin Germany 2023

Annual International Cannabis Business Conference In Berlin To Be Biggest Ever

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Business, Entertainment, Policy, Science.

The International Cannabis Business Conference is once again bringing its signature blend of industry, policy, and entertainment to Berlin’s iconic Estrel Hotel. The two-day B2B conference, which is the largest of its type in Europe, will be held on April 16th and 17th, 2024.

Over 5,000 global cannabis entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, regulators, and industry service providers from over 80 different countries are expected to attend the annual conference in 2024. In addition to the two-day curriculum portion of the event, which is sponsored by The Talman Group, there will be an infamous event after-party. The International Cannabis Business Conference after-party is sponsored by Advanced Nutrients and is sure to be an amazing time.

Germany is currently leading the effort to modernize Europe’s outdated cannabis policies. It is no secret that lawmakers in Germany are working through the legalization process right now, as well as taking the lead in cannabis policy discussions with the European Union.

Germany is the metaphorical crack in the prohibition dam, and when it bursts, it will open the policy modernization floodgates. That all makes Berlin the perfect backdrop, and the place to be, in mid-April 2024 at the International Cannabis Business Conference.

If you have a cannabis industry product or service that you want to get in front of a truly international cannabis audience, and at a better time than ever before, consider exhibiting and/or sponsoring the 2024 International Cannabis Business Conference in Berlin.

Early bird ticket pricing is in effect through December 6th. Get your tickets today before the event sells out. Click here to see a video with more information about the upcoming conference.

europe flags european

An Overview Of Cannabis Policy Modernization Efforts In Europe

Written by Johnny Green on . Posted in Policy.

Nowhere on Earth is as exciting from a cannabis policy modernization standpoint right now as the European continent, where several nations are working to modernize their cannabis policies and launch, or expand, regulated cannabis industries.

Europe is already home to two nations that have passed national adult-use reform measures. Malta became the first European nation to do so in late 2021, and Luxembourg became the second nation in Europe to pass such a measure when lawmakers approved a bill earlier this year. The only other nations on Earth that have passed national adult-use measures are Uruguay (2013) and Canada (2018).

Cannabis is the most popular illegal substance in Europe among consumers, which is also true of every other continent. The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) estimates that roughly 8% of adults in European Union member nations have consumed cannabis at least one time in the last year.

At least 1.3% of the European Union’s adult population, nearly 4 million people, report consuming cannabis on a daily basis. It’s quite likely that the true figure is considerably greater, being that many people do not feel comfortable admitting to being a cannabis consumer to government officials conducting surveys when cannabis is prohibited.

Europe is home to unique public policy approaches to cannabis regulation. A great example of that can be found in Switzerland where limited regional adult-use cannabis pilot programs are up and running. Such programs permit localized cannabis commerce to help lawmakers and regulators gather data to be better suited to craft national policies.

Switzerland may be the most associated with pilot programs right now, however, that designation is likely to be conceded to Germany in the coming years. Lawmakers in Germany are working to pass a national adult-use measure that would, among other things, permit regional pilot programs. When that happens, Germany’s pilot programs will likely become far more common, and larger in size, compared to what is found in Switzerland.

To best understand the current status of cannabis policies in Europe one needs to look no further than Germany and to a lesser extent Malta. The world is learning in real-time, through Germany’s legalization efforts, what is permitted at a national level in Germany according to the European Union, and what requires further continental reform.

Policymakers in Germany set out in 2021 to pass a robust national legalization measure, somewhat similar to the model that Canada has implemented. Unfortunately, via ongoing discussions with the European Union, German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach was informed that national sales run afoul of continental agreements.

The European continental cannabis policy debate is largely one of semantics. Legalizing cannabis to boost economies is not permitted in Europe. However, modernizing cannabis policies for research purposes, including public policy research purposes, is permitted. So is modernizing cannabis policies to boost public health outcomes, and it’s within those parameters that European lawmakers are allowed to operate.

This is why medical cannabis is permitted across Europe, and why Malta and Luxembourg are permitted to end cannabis prohibition as it pertains to individuals (cultivation, possession, and consumption). For Malta specifically, it’s why noncommercial cannabis clubs are allowed to be licensed there. That level of national legalization is allowed under EU law, and more nations should pursue such reform.

Yet, just because current EU policy prohibits national cannabis regulation models from mimicking Canada doesn’t mean that it will always be that way. Germany is leading a coalition of European governments that wish to change continental agreements to remove adult-use restrictions. Advocates in many European nations, particularly in the Czech Republic and Slovenia, are working to get their nations’ leaders on the right side of history. When Germany legalizes, it will likely usher in a wave of similar activity across the continent.

It’s unclear how long it will take for continental reform to be achieved in Europe, however, every country that modernizes its policies to permit sales, and sees its legal sales succeeding, will add to the momentum for larger reform. Just as legal adult-use commerce is winning in the Western Hemisphere, the same will be true on the other side of the ocean once the legal industry is given a proper chance.

This article first appeared at TheTalmanGroup.com and is syndicated with special permission

Hamburg Germany

SPD Interior Ministers Continue To Cling To Failed Prohibition

Written by Hazel Norman on . Posted in Policy.

Roughly a month ago, cannabis opponents in Germany’s Federal Council (or Bundesrat) tried to derail the nation’s legalization plans. German lawmakers are currently considering a proposal that was largely championed by the nation’s Health Minister Karl Lauterbach.

Minister Lauterbach’s measure, which would legalize cannabis for personal cultivation, possession, and consumption, was already approved by the nation’s Federal Cabinet. The measure would also permit adult-use noncommercial cannabis clubs to operate.

A coalition of SPD ministers from jurisdictions like Hamburg, Thuringia, and Lower Saxony have been very vocal in opposition to the measure, which is currently working its way through the Bundestag process.

In the coalition’s latest move, the ministers sent a ‘warning letter’ to the SPD parliamentary group. The letter was reportedly authored by Hamburg’s Interior Senator Andy Grote (SPD) on behalf of the coalition and focused on Dutch and Spanish policies.

“The liberal drug policy has given organized crime an enormous increase in the market while at the same time reducing the risk of criminal prosecution and has thus created the foundations for the structures that the Dutch state has today escalated violence.” the letter stated.

The letter went on to bemoan “perpetrators from all nations” that it claims have flooded into the two countries, creating a “pull effect on perpetrators of organized crime.” The letter was specifically critical of the amount of cannabis that an adult will be able to acquire through a licensed and regulated, noncommercial club in Germany if/when the law is approved and implemented.

“It is therefore very likely that many 18-year-olds will pass on their ‘excess’ cannabis to people under 18 at parties and on other occasions (including for money).” stated the letter.

For context, Uruguay passed a national legalization measure in 2013 that included club provisions. None of the doomsday scenarios that the SPD interior ministers are predicting ever materialized in Uruguay. The same is true in Canada, which legalized nationwide in 2018. The same will presumably be true in Malta where regulators recently approved the first two licenses for noncommercial clubs.