Under the first step in Germany’s controversial new law, adults over the age of 18 are now allowed to possess 25 grams of dried cannabis and grow up to three marijuana plants at home, France 24 reports.
The changes leave Germany with some of the most liberal cannabis laws in Europe, along with Malta and Luxembourg, which will legalise recreational use in 2021 and 2023 respectively.
The Netherlands, known for its permissive attitude towards the drug, has taken a stricter approach to combating cannabis tourism in recent years.
The law’s entry into force was welcomed by hundreds of people at Berlin’s famous Brandenbrug gate, many of them smoking joints, which one participant, a very happy 25-year-old Niyazi, described as “a little extra freedom”.
The next step in legal reform is that from 1 July, pot can be legally purchased in the country through “cannabis clubs”. These regulated associations will have up to 500 members each and will be able to distribute up to 50 grams of cannabis per person per month.
AFP Georg Würth, director of the German Cannabis Association said that in the event of a street check, “consumers should not tell police where they bought cannabis.”
Initial plans to sell cannabis through licensed shops were dropped due to EU opposition, although a second law is being prepared to allow the drug to be sold in shops in pilot regions.
The German government – a tripartite coalition led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats – believes legalisation will help curb the growing black market for the popular substance. But health organisations have raised concerns that legalisation could lead to increased use among young people, who are at greatest health risk.
Experts say cannabis use by young people could affect the development of the central nervous system, leading to an increased risk of psychosis and schizophrenia. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, a doctor, said cannabis use could be “dangerous”, especially for young people. Katja Seidel, a therapist at a cannabis addiction centre for young people in Berlin, told AFP:
“From our point of view, the law as it is written is a disaster.”
The Government promised a large-scale information campaign to raise awareness of the risks and enhance support programmes. It also stressed that cannabis would remain prohibited for those under 18 years of age and within 100 metres of schools, kindergartens and playgrounds. The law has also drawn sharp criticism from police, who fear it will be difficult to enforce. Alexander Poitz, vice-president of the GdP police union, said:
“From April 1, our colleagues will find themselves in situations of conflict with citizens, as uncertainty reigns on both sides.”
Another potential problem is that the law would retroactively grant amnesty for cannabis-related offences, creating an administrative headache for the legal system.
According to the Union of German Judges, the pardon could apply to more than 200,000 cases that would need to be checked and processed.
Conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz said he would “immediately” repeal the law if he and his party form a government after national elections in 2025. But Finance Minister Christian Lindner, of the liberal FDP, said legalisation was a “responsible” step that was better than “directing people to the black market”. The new law “will not lead to chaos,” Lindner told public broadcaster AFP.
