Germany Flag on cannabis background. Drug policy. Legalization of marijuana
Germany’s Federal Council has approved the bill legalizing recreational cannabis for personal use despite facing criticism and attempts to block or delay the legislative process.
With this approval, the path to the legalization of recreational cannabis for personal use in Germany is clear.
Germany’s Federal Council passed a law today, March 22, that was previously passed by the Bundestag, which will allow the possession and cultivation of cannabis for personal consumption starting from April 1. However, the sale of cannabis will remain illegal.
The new law will be implemented once the President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, officially signs it after its announcement.
German news media outlets reported that several federal states voiced criticism regarding the law. However, there was no majority for an appeal to the mediation committee. Only Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Saarland voted to send the law back to the compromise-making committee of the Bundestag and Bundesrat for renegotiation. All other federal states, except Saxony, abstained. A mediation process between the federal and state governments would have delayed the implementation of the law.
The week started with uncertainty regarding the vote and continued until shortly before the meeting.
Before the vote, Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, the main sponsor of the law, emphasized that the proposed legislation can potentially protect the younger generation, particularly by minimizing consumption and reducing the prevalence of the black market through decriminalization and enhanced education, and announced further concessions to the states, including addiction prevention, ensuring that the ministry will add €6 million ($6.4 million) to be used for expanding cannabis prevention measures remain available beyond 2024. Additionally, the coalition government aims to allocate €20 million ($21.6 million) to support a center for prevention initiatives.
While the legalization of recreational cannabis for personal use constitutes the primary aspect of the first pillar of the new cannabis policy the coalition government aims to implement, it is also gearing up to address regulations concerning cannabis social clubs. However, to achieve this, certain amendments to the law are expected to be made before July 1, the anticipated date for the implementation of the cannabis social clubs.
Starting from April 1, adults aged 18 and over should be allowed to possess up to 25 grams of cannabis for personal use. Furthermore, it should be allowable to cultivate up to three cannabis plants and possess up to 50 grams of cannabis for personal consumption. However, Smoking cannabis in public areas, including schools and sports facilities, and within a 100-meter radius of them will be prohibited.
Additionally, the law allows the establishment of cannabis social clubs for adults, where up to 500 members residing in the country can collectively cultivate cannabis and exchange it among themselves for personal use, limited to a maximum of 50 grams per member per month.
Authorities will assess how the law impacts the protection of children and young people, which must be presented 18 months after its implementation.
The coalition government is also expected to begin developing the second pillar of its cannabis policy. This involves establishing a pilot program to explore the controlled sale of cannabis, similar to programs launched in Switzerland and the Netherlands, to monitor and evaluate the impact of the legal market on public health.
Germany's Federal Council Approves Recreational Cannabis Bill For Personal Use – Forbes
