Politics|The latest in cannabis legalization including laws and policies legislators views election coverage and more. Politics Cannabis Takes Leading Role in Berlin Elections Michael Knodt Berlin will vote for a new state Parliament and a new mayor on Sunday and for the first time ever cannabis is playing a role in the campaign. While cannabis isnt the Berlin electorates chief concern it is one of the most discussed topics of this years campaign. A 2014 coffeeshop pilot program proposal which would have allowed Dutch-style cannabis coffeeshops sparked a debate that continues to this day. Its a popular topic not only because support for legalization is 40 percent in Berlinmore than in any other German statebut also because of a controversial zero-tolerance policy in the popular Görlitzer Park a new enforcement effort that has brought the issue to the center of public attention. RELATED STORY Germany and Austria are Pouring Billions into Cannabis Prohibition Berlin is traditionally a rather cannabis-friendly city. But in Görlitzer Park local police are now out in full force every day chasing illegal dealers and consumers alike. The crackdown has fractured cannabis sales and spread them throughout the whole district annoying residents. Many say they would much prefer the coffeeshop pilot program being supported by the Berlin Greens and three other political parties. The so-called Pirate Party even put cannabis on its campaign posters this year asking Berlins residents: Are you still smoking pot or are you already enjoying? Like the Pirate Party the Left Party Liberals and Greens all support an end to prohibition. All four parties have plans in their manifestos to establish a regulated cannabis market. Even the biggest party the moderate left Social Democratic Party (SPD) has been toying with a liberal cannabis policy despite a 2015 survey that showed a small majority of members actually opposed legalization. Clearly leading the mayoral polls in Berlin is Michael Müller a member of the SPD who has ruled the capital with the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) since his predecessor Klaus Wowereit stepped down in 2014. The cannabis-friendly climate seems to frighten the CDU Germanys largest political party and that of German President Angela Merkel. The party traditionally weak in the capital recently put a countdown clock on Facebook that displays the time until the election. It features a large cannabis leaf and the logos of the four parties supporting regulation. CDU Berlin warns: Legalization of cannabis is imminent it reads. Germanys Christian Democratic Union posted an online countdown to the election that warns Legalization of cannabis is imminent. The move viewed by most as a German version of Reefer Madness that might be best described as Cannabis Angst was widely mocked in local and national media. Chances are good the new state government will consist of parties in favor of a new cannabis policy. Polls predict a big win for the new anti-migration party AfD (Alternatives for Germany) and losses for all others. A coalition between SPD and two or more of the four cannabis-friendly parties is the most probable scenario. A continuation of the current coalition of SPD and CDU seems very unlikely. RELATED STORY Berlins Cannabis Coffeeshop is Rejected but Inspires German Legalization Movement But dont expect real change to come about soon. Even if the new state government pushes for cannabis pilot programs or increases the tolerated amount for personal use theres only so much local officials can do. Drug policy is a federal matter in Germany and changes to the Narcotics Act can only be made by the federal government. Fortunately the 16 German states do have some room to maneuver when it comes to interpreting national law. Today for example Bavaria prosecutes nearly any cannabis offense. The city-state of Bremen on the other hand recently decriminalized use and cultivation of up to three plants reformed the very strict rules for DUI offenses to be more realistic and raised the allowed amount for personal use. If voters elect a cannabis-friendly coalition similar steps can be expected in Berlin. BerlinElection 2016EuropeGermanylegalization Michael Knodt Michael is Leafly's Germany correspondent. Related Articles Washington State Officials Vow to Step Up Pesticide Testing A Brief Guide to Michigans Medical Marijuana Legislation Bush Cousin and Bobby Orr Give Big in Mass. Legalization Fight State of the Leaf: Are Dispensaries (Finally) Coming to Michigan? Legalization in Europe Politics Cannabis in Germany: Steer Clear of Bavaria Politics Italian Law Enforcement Join Push for Legalization Politics Which Country Leads Europe in Cannabis Consumption? Politics German Medical Legalization Would Curb Home Grows Keep Cannabis in Pharmacies The post Cannabis Takes Leading Role in Berlin Elections appeared first on Leafly. by Michael Knodt at Leafly