Germany Passes Law Allowing Recreational Use of Cannabis
Germany Legalizes Recreational Cannabis Use, But with Strict Rules
The German parliament has recently approved a new law that will allow the recreational use of cannabis in the country. This decision comes after years of debate and controversy surrounding the issue.
Under the new law, individuals over the age of 18 will be permitted to possess significant amounts of cannabis, but purchasing the drug will be heavily regulated. Smoking cannabis in public spaces will become legal starting on April 1st.
The possession limits are set at 25g in public spaces and 50g in private homes. This move aims to address the growing use of cannabis among young people and to combat the black market for the drug.
Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, who spearheaded the reforms, believes that legalizing cannabis will help protect consumers from contaminated products and disrupt revenue streams for organized crime groups.
However, the law will not lead to the widespread opening of cannabis cafes across the country. Instead, non-commercial members’ clubs, known as “cannabis social clubs,” will be responsible for growing and distributing limited amounts of the drug.
Critics of the new law argue that the strict regulations on purchasing cannabis may only serve to fuel the black market. The government plans to evaluate the impact of the law over the next few years and potentially introduce licensed sales of cannabis in the future.
Opposition conservatives have expressed their intention to repeal the law if they come into power next year, indicating that Germany is unlikely to become the next Amsterdam in terms of cannabis legalization anytime soon.
The passage of this law marks a significant shift in Germany’s drug policy and sets the stage for further debate and potential changes in the future.