In Germany, recreational cannabis becomes legal: the Scholz government keeps its promise

From April 1, recreational cannabis will be legal in Germany. The Bundestag, the lower house of the German parliament, approved today – Friday February 23 – a controlled liberalization of drugs: 407 votes for, 226 against and 4 abstentions. The new law – approved by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's centre-left coalition – provides that adults will be able to have up to 25 grams of cannabis on the street for their personal use, while three “live” plants in their own home will be authorized. legal. For a total of 50 grams, always for personal use. However, smoking will be prohibited in and near public spaces such as schools, sports facilities or leisure areas (within a radius of 100 meters as the crow flies from entrances). Federal Minister of Health, Social Democrat (SPD) Karl Lauterbach, stressed during the debate in Parliament in Berlin that the current situation is “in no way acceptable” given the growing number of users and traffic drug criminal: “The black market is the heart of evil,” he said, emphasizing that it is therefore necessary to create a legal offer.

Cultural associations

Non-commercial adult cultivation associations (Anbauvereinigungen) will also be permitted, where up to 500 German residents will be able to cultivate cannabis by supplying each other for personal consumption, but up to a maximum of 50 grams per month and per member. While children between 18 and 21 years old will be able to obtain up to a maximum of 30 grams per month. You can access the associations with a card which costs around 20 euros then a monthly subscription and you must reside in Germany.

Within 18 months of the law coming into force, an initial assessment of its impact on, among other things, the protection of children and young people will be carried out. The legislation is expected to be approved on March 22 by the Bundesrat, the second branch of Parliament, that of regional representatives: approval is not necessary, but the House of Länder could resort to the mediation commission with the Bundestag and slow down the process. Germany is the first major European country to legalize cannabis, already authorized – again for personal use – in Luxembourg and Malta.

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