German Government Introduces Cannabis Legalization Law

The German government plans to legalize the sale and consumption of cannabis, and according to plans presented on Wednesday in Berlin, a quantity of up to 30 grams should be permitted.

– Adults will henceforth be allowed to purchase and possess quantities of up to 30 grams of cannabis, and limited cultivation for personal use will also be permitted, said Health Minister Karl Lauterbach during the presentation of the bill.

The draft law further provides for the sale of cannabis ‘for recreational use’ in specialized licensed shops and later in pharmacies. Sales would only be permitted to adults.

According to Social Democratic Minister Lauterbach, the aim of the federal government’s legislative initiative is to suppress the illegal market.

– The number of consumers and the amount of THC in illegal cannabis are on the rise. The government wants to suppress the black market and decriminalize the cannabis scene, which could contribute to better protection for youth and children, Lauterbach said.

He stated that the draft law was first sent to the European Commission, which should verify whether this law is in line with EU legal standards.

If it turns out that Germany could risk a lawsuit before the European Court by passing the law, the law will be amended.

Until now, legal access to cannabis in Germany has only been available to severely ill patients.

– We are introducing controlled issuance of cannabis to adults for recreational purposes in licensed shops, as stated in the coalition agreement of the new German government, which consists of Social Democrats, Greens, and Liberals. The idea is for marijuana to be of high quality, to protect consumers, and to dry up the black market.

According to the German Hemp Promotion Society, cannabis sold on the streets in recent years is increasingly mixed with sand, sugar, glass, and spices. Or it is sprayed with synthetic substances that significantly enhance the effects of THC, leading to immediate psychoses or cardiovascular collapse.

Proponents of legalization say that pure marijuana, with a precisely defined THC content, would significantly reduce risks. They also say that young people could speak more openly about cannabis at school and at home.