The legalization of cannabis in Germany it will come into force from April 1, 2024, however, Cannabis Social Clubs will have to wait until July 1 of the same year to open. This is what was agreed last November 27 by the "traffic light coalition", made up of the Social Democratic Party, the Free Democratic Party and the Green Party.
"The law on cannabis has arrived! We will finally put an end to this failed prohibition policy! After intense checks we have arrived at a law, which has as its objective the protection of children and health", he declared Green Party spokeswoman Kirsten Kappert-Gonther on X.
Cannabis in Germany: the updated bill
According to what was disclosed by the German news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA), there have been changes compared to previously approved bill.
If home cultivation for residents remained fixed at 3 seedlings, the amount of dried cannabis allowed was doubled, passing 25 to 50 grams. While instead it was lowered, from 200 to just 100 meters, the exclusion zone for cannabis use near places frequented by children, such as nurseries, playgrounds and schools.
Furthermore, if "originally criminal liability was foreseen for quantities exceeding 25 grams. Now, quantities between 25 and 30 grams of cannabis in public areas and between 50 and 60 grams in private areas must be treated as a administrative offence - DPA reported - Possession will only become a crime above this amount." Any sanctions have also been reduced, going from a maximum of 100 thousand euros to a maximum of 30 thousand euros.
Currently, however, the law is still a draft subject to possible changes, but the next step, which could take place as early as next week, is its sending to Bundestag: the German parliament, which will have to proceed with the final approval.
