Appointed as the new drug commissioner is renowned virologist, Streeck - Researcher Streiff Appointed as New Drug Administrator
Germany Appoints Virologist Hendrik Streeck as New Drug Czar
Berlin - In a move that signifies a new direction for drug policy in the federal government, Hendrik Streeck, the CDU Member of Parliament and prominent virologist, has been appointed as the new drug czar. This appointment was announced by Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) following a proposal from her ministry.
Streeck, a 47-year-old physician and scientist, expressed his intentions to aid, inform, and act rather than to criticize. Highlighting the urgent need for better protection for children and young people from addiction, digital risks, and harmful substances, he expressed his commitment to addressing these issues.
Streeck's entry into the Bundestag was recently, on February 23. As the director of the Institute of Virology at the University of Bonn since 2019, his extensive background in the medical field is expected to bring a fresh, unbiased perspective to the often heated and emotional debates surrounding drug policies.
Katrin Staffler (43), a CSU MP, has also been appointed as the new long-term care commissioner. Stefan Schwartze (51), a SPD MP, remains as the government's patient commissioner.
One of the key topics that stakeholders are likely to address during this legislative period is a review of cannabis legalization. The Union and SPD have plans to initiate an "open-ended evaluation" this fall. The legalization law, which permits recreational marijuana use for adults with limitations since April 1, 2024, already stipulates the first evaluation.
While the specific views of Streeck on the cannabis legalization policy have not been detailed in available search results, the broader governmental stance under the current federal coalition, known as the "traffic light coalition," strongly supports the legalization framework. The policy includes specific possession limits, personal cultivation rights, regulated cannabis clubs, and pilot projects for regional adult-use cannabis commerce.
The legalization also considers the establishment of cannabis clubs with up to 500 non-commercial members. Despite controversy and opposition, particularly from conservative parties such as the CDU, the federal government has so far remained firm in its support of the Cannabis Act.
- Hendrik Streeck
- Nina Warken
- CDU
- Berlin
- Drug Policy
- Children
- Cannabis
- SPD
- Katrin Staffler
- As the new drug czar, Hendrik Streeck, a CDU member and virologist from Berlin, expressed his intention to focus on protecting children and young people from addiction, digital risks, and harmful substances.
- Streeck's appointment as the drug czar could bring a fresh perspective to drug policy debates, given his background as a scientist and director of the Institute of Virology at the University of Bonn.
- One of the key topics that the new drug czar, along with other stakeholders, is likely to address in the legislative period is a review of cannabis legalization, with the Union and SPD planning an "open-ended evaluation" this fall.
