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Lewis Koski wants to sell a cannabis system to Germany. Could this allow governments to regulate the market – and push back the illegal business?
Can the black market be curbed by partial legalization of cannabis? That is at least what the federal government is constantly saying. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, for example, argues that controlled legalization will reduce the black market. But how can this be controlled?
Police on cannabis law: “Regulatory monster”
In the past, the police have repeatedly complained that comprehensive controls are not possible. The law is a “regulatory monster,” said Dirk Peglow, head of the Association of German Criminal Investigators, to our editorial team. Implementation is “hardly possible in practice.” The German police also lack capacity, added Rainer Wendt of the German Police Union. The federal government fails to recognize that controls must be carried out by officers who are simply not available. No staff, no time. “Control is being painted as a vision on the wall that in reality is not happening.”
The American Lewis Koski is familiar with these arguments. He himself worked as a police officer in Denver, Colorado. There he was director of the “Marijuana Enforcement Division”. He was primarily responsible for implementing the legalization of cannabis. In 2012, Colorado was the first US state to legalize cannabis. He has been visiting Germany regularly for two years. His mission: to sell Germany a system that can be used to monitor the cannabis market. He explained what this means in concrete terms at a meeting in Berlin.
Cannabis monitoring: “Every gram can be tracked anytime, anywhere”
Koski and his team monitor cannabis in the USA – from production to distribution to sale. “Cannabis is digitally monitored, from the small plant to the final product at the point of sale,” says Koski in an interview with IPPEN.MEDIA“Our system works in such a way that every single plant receives a chip with a globally unique identifier that accompanies it throughout its life cycle and can therefore be easily traced.”
The chip stores information such as the date and place of manufacture or how many grams were ultimately harvested. Quality tests are also stored. “We collect data across the entire supply chain so that every gram of cannabis can be tracked anytime, anywhere.” This would allow governments to regulate the cannabis market. Koski currently wants to establish his system in Germany. He says he is in contact with representatives of authorities and politicians from several federal states and has held talks with various federal ministries, such as the Ministry of Health.
Cannabis law: “This is a really good start for Germany”
One problem: The German cannabis market is very different from the American one. Possession and sale of cannabis are actually prohibited under US federal law. However, around half of the US states have passed legalization laws in the past. Koski’s system is used in 23 US states. “There are large and small markets in the US, heavily regulated and sometimes less regulated,” says the 53-year-old. The largest market is California. “This market is huge. Thousands and thousands of companies report their data every day using our software.” There are also smaller markets such as Minnesota and Louisiana.
In Germany, consumption and possession of certain quantities as well as home cultivation have been permitted since April 1st. Distribution in cultivation associations (cannabis clubs) will begin on July 1st. “This is a really good start for Germany,” says Koski. However, the clubs must be monitored. “This is the only way the federal states and the government can control the cannabis market.”
Control is very important to the former police officer. He saw in the USA how the authorities were increasingly losing out to the black market before legalization. The regulation of cannabis has changed that. “A well-regulated market is better than a strict prohibition policy.” Koski himself would therefore also welcome the implementation of model regions across the country in Germany. Health Minister Lauterbach had promised this in Pillar 2 of the law. This refers to model regions based on a scientific study. Koski’s system could provide monitoring mechanisms and data for scientific evaluation.
Pillar 2 of the Cannabis Act: Model Regions
The first pillar of the cannabis law was passed on April 1st. However, the planned second pillar of legalization is still on hold. It concerns Model projects with licensed shops. However, these shops are not intended to be “coffee shops”, similar to those in the Netherlands, but rather pharmacies specializing in cannabis. However, the whole thing is not really concrete yet, and there is currently no draft law in sight.
A look at the USA shows that only well-executed legalization works. “Colorado is a really interesting example,” says Koski. “Almost every high-ranking politician was against legalization before the referendum, but almost everyone has changed their minds.” To strengthen health and safety, as Koski says. “Because they believe that the illegal market will win if you don’t regulate.” Cooperation between authorities and legal cannabis players is crucial.
In Colorado, the black market has declined significantly after ten years of legalization. But it has by no means disappeared completely – and is unlikely to do so any time soon. Estimates put it at around 25 percent. According to Koski, however, his system has had a positive impact on the illegal market.
How the black market will develop in Germany is currently not foreseeable. Nor is it clear whether Germany will rely on Koski’s system. He would be ready in any case, says the former police officer and current entrepreneur. Due to his résumé, Koski was given the title “Cannabis Cop” by the media. A title that he can live with. “I think I could have worse titles.” (as)
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