Berlin follows in the footsteps of Luxembourg and Malta. Starting Monday, April 1, Germany will become the third country in the European Union to legalize recreational cannabis under conditions. This emblematic law of the government of Social Democratic Chancellor (SPD), Olaf Scholz, was adopted – 407 votes in favor, 226 votes against -, after having been the subject of numerous criticisms and a heated debate in the Bundestag, the lower house of the parliament. on February 23.
Strict supervision
However, the regulations surrounding the sale will be strict and it is planned to authorize limited quantities of a maximum of 25 grams per day through non-profit associations that will remain under the supervision of public authorities.
In detail, these clubs will be able to sell a maximum of 25 grams per day and no more than 50 grams per month to their members, 500 people maximum. Only adults can become members. Between 18 and 21 years old will only be able to obtain 30 grams of cannabis per month with a level of THC active ingredient limited to 10%.
It will also be possible to grow up to three plants for your own use from July 1. Clubs will be responsible for distributing cannabis seeds and cuttings to their members for home cultivation, up to a maximum of seven seeds or five cuttings.
As Francetvinfo indicates, it will also be prohibited to consume less than 100 meters from a school, playgrounds or pedestrian areas during the day.
However, the possession and consumption of this drug will remain strictly prohibited for young people under 18 years of age. Furthermore, French people will not be able to benefit from this legalization unless they have resided on the other side of the Rhine for six months.
A divisive topic
This text was the subject of discord within the tripartite government: there was resistance among the Social Democrats (SPD, the chancellor’s party), while the Greens and the liberals of the FDP, her partners in the government, were quite favorable.
This reform has also sparked numerous criticisms, especially from medical associations and the judiciary. The current law provides for a fine and, in the most serious cases, even prison sentences, for possession of cannabis.
Germans seem quite divided on the issue: according to a YouGov poll published on Friday, February 23, 47% of respondents are in favor of legalization and 42% are against. According to the government, the reform should make it possible to fight more effectively against the black market, a point questioned by the conservative opposition, police unions and some SPD deputies.
This reform could be extended. According to France Bleu Alsace, Alexandre Feltz, deputy mayor of the city of Strasbourg, was “favorable” to a local experiment for the legalization of recreational cannabis.
Source: BFM TV
