This is a first step taken. The German government adopted Wednesday in the Council of Ministers a bill to legalize cannabis for recreational purposes. This text is accompanied by a prevention campaign aimed at young people.
According to the text, which must still be debated and voted on by Parliament, it will be possible from the age of 18 to buy and possess up to 25 grams of cannabis.
Germany will thus have one of the most liberal laws in Europe, following in the footsteps of Malta and Luxembourg, which legalized recreational cannabis in 2021 and 2023 respectively.
The coalition of the Social Democratic Party of Olaf Scholz with the Greens and the Liberals has made this legalization one of the flagship projects of its mandate even if the initial plan went much further. Faced with the reservations of the European Union, Berlin had to review its copy.
The reform also arouses criticism from the opposition, police unions or judges who believe that it will not put an end to trafficking, when it is one of the objectives.
According to this bill, it will also be possible to cultivate up to three cannabis plants for one’s own use. The new legislation provides for the creation of non-profit associations whose adult members (their number is limited to 500) can cultivate the plant for their own consumption, under the supervision of the public authorities.
These “Cannabis Social Clubs”, as they call themselves, will have a regulated activity: they will only be able to supply their members and at the rate of 25 grams per day with a maximum of 50 grams per month. For young people aged 18 to 21, it will be a little less: 30 grams per month. These clubs will be subject to controls by the public authorities.
Cannabis consumption must take place outside these places and will be prohibited within 200 meters of these clubs, schools, playgrounds, sports fields and associations for young people.
Health Minister Karl Lauterbach is also planning to launch a major awareness campaign aimed at young people on the dangers of cannabis for the brain “particularly harmful when it is still in a period of growth”.
“For young people (under 18, editor’s note), consumption remains prohibited and for young adults (up to 21), it is limited,” he said in a statement.
