Based on Germany’s plans for the legalization of cannabis, WFAD together with 22 organisations from ten European countries signed an open letter sent to Interior Commissioner Ylva Johansson and the European Commission HDG.

The organizations point out that the German government aims to open a legal and commercial market for cannabis, turning cannabis into a commodity sold on the internal market. This at the same time as reports, most recently from the UN, from the countries and states that have implemented legalisation shows that the development is going in the wrong direction – with higher consumption, more injuries, traffic accidents, and deaths. Based on this, the organisations behind the letter call on the European Commission to support the multilateral approach to cannabis and oppose the German plans. 

To further highlight the effects of a potential legalisation, EURAD, Drug Policy Center (Narkotika Politiskt Center), IOGT-NTO, The Social and Democrats Group of the European Parliament and WFAD organised a webinar on the effects of a  Commercialisation of Cannabis in Germany and why such a commercialisation would pose a threat to European Public Health. 

Opening Remarks were made by Heléne Fritzon – MEP (S&D)
Presentations by: Bobby Smyth, Stig-Erik Sörheim and Staffan Hubinette. Followed by a panel discussion.