
Germany has made history by becoming the largest member of the European Union (EU) to legalize recreational cannabis, as a new law came into effect at midnight on Monday, April 1, following clearance by lawmakers in March.
Under the new legislation, adults aged 18 and above are now permitted to possess up to 25 grams of dried cannabis and cultivate a maximum of three marijuana plants within their homes.
While public consumption is allowed, stringent regulations have been imposed to ensure responsible usage. Consumption must not occur within sight of children or in close proximity to sports facilities. Additionally, the drug will be prohibited in pedestrian zones between the hours of 7 am and 8 pm.
Further enhancing access to cannabis, private clubs with membership capped at 500 individuals will be granted permission to collectively cultivate cannabis and distribute it among their members, starting from July 1.
The push for cannabis legalization gained momentum under the advocacy of Karl Lauterbach, the health minister, who argued that the previous drug policy had proven ineffective, leading to the proliferation of black markets.
Notably, initial proposals to sell cannabis in licensed shops faced opposition from the EU, prompting the German government to reconsider. However, discussions about implementing a trial program for shop sales in select pilot regions remain under consideration, indicating ongoing efforts to explore alternative avenues for cannabis distribution within the country.
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