Germany authorizes starting this monday recreational cannabis use. After the tenacious opposition of conservatives and medical associations who fear negative consequences for youth.
The The law stipulates that adults over 18 years of age may carry 25 grams with them. of marijuana on public roads, grow up to 50 grams and have three plants per adult at home.
Germany: legalizes the recreational use of cannabis
In the early hours of Monday, some 1,500 people celebrated the change between wisps of smoke in front of the emblematic Brandenburg Gate, in the heart of Berlin, as seen by an AFP journalist. In the middle of the crowd, Niyazi, 25, said that with legalization there is “a little more freedom.”
It is “the end of the criminalization of several million people in Germany”, said Torsten Dietrich, an activist of the measure for several decades.
The European countries that legalized cannabis
This reform places Germany among the most permissive countries with cannabis in EuropeWith Malta and Luxembourg, which legalized recreational consumption in 2021 and 2023, respectively. The Netherlands, a place known for years for its liberal drug policyadopted a stricter strategy to reduce tourism focused on cannabis consumption.
How Cannabis Social Clubs Work
Although the law goes into effect this Monday, Consumers will have to wait three months to legally buy marijuana in “cannabis social clubs.” Before July, the purchase of cannabis will remain illegal, Georg Wurth, director of the German Cannabis Association, explained to AFP.
According to the law, cannabis social clubs They may have a maximum of 500 members and distribute 50 grams of cannabis per member per month.
The argument for legalizing cannabis
He government of the social democratic chancellor, Olaf Scholzallied with liberals and environmentalists, argues that Legalization will help fight drug trafficking more effectively. Cannabis “leaves the taboo zone,” said Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, who is a doctor, on the X network on Monday. “It is better for real help for drug addicts, for prevention in young people and for fight against the black market,” he added.
He government promised a campaign on the risks of consumption and emphasizes that cannabis remains prohibited for those under 18 years of age and that its consumption is not authorized within 100 meters of schools, daycare centers and children’s playgrounds.
Cannabis use in young people
But Health organizations warned that legalization may cause an increase in consumption among young people. In under 25 years oldcannabis can affect the development of the central nervous system, which implies an increased risk of psychiatric problems, such as schizophrenia, according to experts.
“From our point of view, the law, as it is written, is a disaster”said Katja Seidel, a therapist at a Berlin center for treating cannabis addiction in young people.
Germany: cannabis use in the security system
The new legislation also received criticism from the policewhich fears that it will be difficult to ensure compliance.
“Starting April 1, our colleagues will face conflict situations with citizens since there is uncertainty for both parties,” said Alexander Poitz, vice president of the GdP police union. Another controversial issue is that The law establishes a retroactive amnesty for cannabis-related crimeswhich can generate traffic jams in administrative procedures for the legal system.
According to German Judges Associationthis pardon can be applied to more than 200,000 cases that must be reviewed. Friedrich Merz, the leader of the conservative opposition, the CDU party, said it will repeal the law immediately if its party wins the 2025 legislative elections.
He Finance Minister Christian Lindnerfrom the liberal FDP party, defends “responsible” reform and argues that it is preferable to people buying cannabis on the black market.
Source: Ambito
