It is no secret that the current adult-use legalization effort in Germany has experienced some hurdles. Part of that is due to the legalization process itself, which involves various procedural steps in Germany, and part of that is due to continental and domestic politics.

However, despite all of the setbacks and delays, Germany’s Health Minister Karl Lauterbach still believes that legalization will be implemented in April, albeit with a vote occurring in February versus this month as previously expected.

In addition to making the comments about specific dates, Minister Lauterbach also weighed in on proposed consumption ban zone enforcement around schools and daycares, stating that it “is a decision with a sense of proportion” and that “not every individual violation can be punished.”

Minister Lauterbach seemed to indicate that enforcement will be circumstantial and stated “that’s the case with every law.”

He also reiterated the need to supplant the unregulated market in Germany, stating that “controlled distribution of cannabis is the right way to achieve this, combined with special protection for children and young people.”

If Minister Lauterbach is right about the April 1st implementation date, cannabis possession, cultivation, and consumption would be legalized for adults in Germany. Cannabis would also be removed from the nation’s Narcotics List.

This article first appeared on Internationalcbc.com and is syndicated here with special permission.