BZ editor Stefan Peter comments on the plans of the Berlin Greens not only to legalize cannabis, but also to decriminalize hard party drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy and amphetamines Photo: Picture Alliance / BZ Montage
By Stephen Peter
Will the drug dealers thank the Greens? Thanks to the eco-party, their business could increase significantly in the future.
The Greens are demanding that possession of three grams of cocaine and five ecstasy tablets should go unpunished. Even one gram of the devil’s drug heroin would no longer result in a prosecution. Helping instead of criminalizing is the justification for such plans.
Sounds good, but is naive. There is a risk that drug use will increase significantly. Club-goers may be encouraged to take (more) drugs – because they no longer face criminal prosecution.
The logic of green drug policy has some legal snags. Ultimately, one would even have to ask: Why should drug dealers actually still be punished if they only deliver what possession of which remains unpunished?