Gerlach demands withdrawal of cannabis legalization - Bavaria's health minister demands reversal of Germany's cannabis legalisation

Bavaria's Health Minister Judith Gerlach is calling for an immediate reversal of Germany's partial cannabis legalisation. The push comes after the 2024 reforms by the Ampel coalition, which allowed limited recreational use. Gerlach, a member of the CSU, argues that youth consumption in her state has surged since the law changed.

Gerlach pointed to a recent survey showing 12 percent of Bavarian 15- and 16-year-olds had used cannabis in the past year. This figure is double the rate recorded in 2007. She described the trend as alarming and demanded the Union bloc act quickly to overturn the legalisation within the governing coalition.

Despite her concerns, national data suggests overall cannabis use has fallen compared to 2019. Still, Gerlach insists the law has failed to protect young people's health. Her stance aligns with federal Health Minister Nina Warken, who has proposed stricter controls under the MedCanG framework—though the SPD opposes these moves.

The debate has split political groups further. While the CDU/CSU pushes for a full rollback, Die Linke advocates for expanding legal sales through model projects. So far, no major shifts in policy have been announced by key states like Berlin, Nordrhein-Westfalen, or Niedersachsen.

Gerlach's demand puts pressure on the Union to challenge the current cannabis laws. The dispute highlights deep divisions between parties over drug policy and youth health protection. For now, the 2024 legalisation remains in place, but further political clashes are likely.