Germany's two-step plan to legalize cannabis
-
Loading... - Atlas Stavros
- 17 Apr 2023
- 56 Views
- 0 Like
- 0 Comment
Possession of up to 25 grams of recreational cannabis should be allowed, with special clubs permitted to grow plants for members' consumption.
White smoke has risen above the German Health Ministry. A solution has been found — the cornerstones of a plan to legalize cannabis in Germany have been revised and agreed, and the plan could soon become law.
Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) tweeted, "The legalization of cannabis is happening," just hours before a press conference where he appeared optimistic. "We're trying to solve a problem," he announced confidently. "The previous cannabis policy has failed."
The number of drug-related offenses in Germany has risen steadily since 2011, he said. The aim is to stop this trend, legalize hashish, offer clean products, dry out the black market and protect young people. Lauterbach explained that his ministry had collaborated with four other departments to develop a two-step model.
Two-step model for cannabis in Germany
In the first step, people over the age of 21 will not be punished for possessing up to 25 grams of "recreational cannabis" for personal consumption. They will be allowed to possess a total of 50 grams per month. People will also be permitted to grow up to three hemp plants per person for their own use, either on their balconies or in their gardens. The Green Party's Cem Özdemir, minister for agriculture, said that a draft law to this effect "is coming in April."
So-called "cannabis social clubs" will be established for distributing marijuana. These clubs will provide members with cannabis products of their own cultivation and production. The clubs, Lauterbach said, will have a maximum of 500 members.
The second step of the German legalization plan will regulate the sale of cannabis. Its initial draft had envisaged distribution controlled by the state to the greatest possible extent, to prevent criminalization through sales, with pharmacists also licensed to sell cannabis to customers over the age of 18. Read More…
