In Germany, the law on the partial legalization of marijuana came into force

In Germany, a law on the partial legalization of marijuana entered into force on April 1. Now, every resident of the country over 18 years of age has the right to grow up to three bushes of cannabis at home for personal use. The amount of light drugs that the law allows to have has increased – up to 25 grams on your person and up to 50 grams at home.

The free sale of marijuana or hashish and the opening of “coffee shops” modeled after the Netherlands are still illegal. The law presupposes the creation of special consumer clubs, the members of which will grow hemp and distribute it only among club members at cost of production. They are forbidden to make a profit. Each club must have in its composition authorized persons for work with youth and the fight against addiction, to conduct educational work about the harm of drugs. Cannabis advertising is prohibited.

Smoking cannabis is allowed at home and in public places, but no closer than 200 meters from the entrance to schools, kindergartens, playgrounds, youth and sports facilities. The use of marijuana while driving is prohibited.

On April 1, about 1,500 people gathered in Berlin in front of the Brandenburg Gate to speak in support of legalization. The rally, organized by the German Cannabis Association (DHV), was coordinated with the police and passed peacefully. Those gathered said that they feel a great relief from the fact that they can smoke marijuana and are no longer considered criminals.

• Legalization of marijuana was proposed by the ruling coalition of parties in the Bundestag in 2021. Its supporters believed that in this way the black market of light drugs would be brought out of the shadows, and the police would have more time and resources to fight hard drugs. In the original bill, it was proposed to allow the retail sale of marijuana and hashish, but this point was rejected during the discussions.
• The bill was criticized by the Union of German Doctors, the Association of Teachers and the Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach, who pointed out that legalization could create the impression among consumers, and primarily among teenagers, that marijuana is harmless, when it is not.