Marijuana advocates in Germany celebrated by smoking joints after the country made its cannabis rules more relaxed, allowing people to have small amounts. Germany Some people were seen lighting up joints on Monday as the country made its cannabis rules more lenient, making it legal to have small amounts of the drug.
The German Cannabis Association, which pushed for the new law, organized a “smoke-in” at Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate when the law went into effect at midnight. Other events for public consumption were planned across the country, including in front of the Cologne cathedral, and in Hamburg, Regensburg, and Dortmund.
The new law allows adults to have up to 25 grams (almost 1 ounce) of marijuana for fun, and also permits individuals to grow up to three plants at home. This part of the law began on Monday. marijuana People in Germany who are 18 and older will be able to join nonprofit “cannabis clubs” with a maximum of 500 members each from July 1. They will be allowed to buy up to 25 grams per day, or a maximum of 50 grams per month. The limit is 30 grams for those under 21. Joining multiple clubs is not allowed.
The clubs’ expenses will be funded by membership fees, which will be based on how much marijuana members use.
The law also includes an amnesty for sentences related to cannabis offenses that are no longer illegal. Regional authorities are concerned about being overwhelmed by thousands of cases.
The current coalition of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’ Social Democrats, the Greens, and the pro-business Free Democrats pushed the law through, despite opposition from some of Germany’s federal states and the center-right Christian Democrats. Christian Democratic leader Friedrich Merz has promised to reverse the law if his party wins national elections expected in the fall of 2025.
Leading garden stores surveyed by the dpa news agency said they would not be selling cannabis plants, and the German Medical Association opposed the law, saying it could have serious consequences for the development and future prospects of young people in the country.
Marijuana advocates in Germany celebrated by smoking joints after the country made its cannabis rules more relaxed, allowing people to have small amounts.
