Yahoo – AFP,
May 3, 2016
Berlin (AFP) - Germany is to legalise cannabis for medicinal purposes early next year, the health minister said on Tuesday.
Medicinal marijuana is gaining popularity to ease suffering from cancer, glaucoma, HIV or AIDS, Hepatitis C, Parkinson's disease and other conditions (AFP Photo) |
Berlin (AFP) - Germany is to legalise cannabis for medicinal purposes early next year, the health minister said on Tuesday.
"Our
goal is that seriously ill patients are treated in the best possible way,"
said Hermann Groehe, who will present draft legislation to the German cabinet
on Wednesday.
The draft
bill comes as many parts of the world are relaxing laws on cannabis use and
medicinal marijuana is gaining popularity to ease suffering from cancer,
glaucoma, HIV or AIDS, Hepatitis C, Parkinson's disease and other serious
conditions.
However,
the issue of recreational and medical cannabis use is controversial in many
countries, as opponents fear crime connected to drug abuse and addiction. Some
argue pot use could lead to dependence on harder drugs.
Groehe
acknowledged that cannabis was "not an inoffensive substance" and
stressed that cannabis would be available from pharmacies only on prescription.
Until
specially supervised plantations have been established to grow cannabis,
Germany will import "medical marijuana", the minister added.
"Without
wishing to pre-judge the work of the Bundestag (lower house of parliament), it
is likely that the law will come into force in the spring of 2017," Groehe
told German daily Die Welt.
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