With his fight for the legalization of cannabis, Bernau judge Andreas Müller has become something of a figurehead. The planned new law is just a beginning for the lawyer.
Long-time juvenile judge Andreas Müller sees the planned law on cannabis release as a first step in the right direction to decriminalize consumers. But he also calls for improvements. “I’m missing an overall concept, namely, as originally planned, the controlled distribution of cannabis in appropriate shops.” The new law is piecemeal and not completely thought through, Müller told the German Press Agency. The lawyer has been campaigning for the legalization of cannabis for decades.
Home cultivation and possession of certain amounts of the drug will be permitted for adults from April 1st. Clubs for collective cultivation should be possible on July 1st. The law is scheduled to be passed in the Bundestag in the week starting February 19th.
For the 62-year-old, legalization is primarily about freedom and equality rights for adults. “We are decriminalizing because we want to bring back civil rights.” In Müller’s opinion, the law also restricts the black market. Because if people could grow their own crops in the future, they wouldn’t have to rely on third parties.
Judge demands: Don’t criminalize young people
In view of the critical voices about the legalization of the drug, especially from politics, Müller calls for the issue to be dealt with honestly. “What I see at the moment is constant fear-mongering with outdated arguments, without a scientific understanding of the narcotic cannabis.” Politicians should ensure that young people are not criminalized but rather protected. “It’s not about prohibition, but about prevention. And that’s where parents have to be careful, not the juvenile judge,” he made clear. His conclusion: “Yes, there will be problematic consumption, but with good prevention, fewer young people will smoke weed and have fewer problems. Young people who actually become addicted will be able to take better care of themselves medically and psychosocially.”
Relief for courts
The judge also sees relief for the courts with the new law – although not immediately. According to him, around six percent of all cases are drug crimes. Many proceedings could be discontinued due to the new criminal law; the police would no longer have to constantly investigate minor crimes, then create files and send them to the public prosecutor’s office – bureaucracy would be eliminated.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
