CDU calls for reversal of cannabis legalization - Germany's CDU demands full reversal of controversial cannabis legalisation

Germany's partial legalisation of cannabis has come under fresh attack from the CDU. At a party conference in Stuttgart, delegates voted to push for a full reversal of the law. The move follows months of debate since the Cannabis Act took effect on 1 April 2024.

The legislation allows adults to use and grow small amounts of cannabis under strict rules. But critics, including Health Minister Nina Warken, claim it has created new problems instead of solving old ones.

The CDU and its Bavarian sister party, the CSU, had campaigned on scrapping the law entirely. However, their coalition deal with the SPD only commits to an 'open-ended evaluation' rather than an outright repeal. Now, the party is stepping up pressure to undo the reforms.

Health Minister Warken, who also leads the CDU's Women's Union, had earlier flagged 'troubling trends' linked to the law. She pointed to rising concerns over youth access, public safety, and health risks—issues the legislation was meant to address. Doctors have reported more cases of cannabis-related harm among young people, despite the law's restrictions.

At the Stuttgart conference, delegates backed a motion to ban possession, cultivation, and distribution of cannabis outright. The party argues that partial legalisation has failed to curb black-market activity while increasing social and health burdens. Supporters of the law, however, say it has eased pressure on courts by reducing minor cannabis cases.

Implementation has proven messy. Officials and citizens alike have struggled with unclear rules, and critics claim the law's safeguards—such as protecting minors—have not worked as intended. Polls show the public remains evenly divided on the issue.

The CDU's push to repeal the law sets up a fresh clash over drug policy in Germany. If successful, the move would end the current system of regulated adult use and cultivation. For now, the Cannabis Act remains in place—but its future looks increasingly uncertain.