Pensioners and members of the Bundestag will see their salaries increase and the second part of the Cannabis Act will come into force. What changes will July bring for citizens?
Stoners have been waiting for July for a while, because then it will be possible to grow cannabis in special clubs. Pensioners can look forward to more money in their accounts – and what else is changing in July:
Cannabis clubs
From July 1st, according to the Cannabis Act, the drug may be cultivated collectively in special clubs and distributed to club members. However, consumption in the cultivation associations, as they are called in the law, is not permitted. The clubs may have a maximum of 500 members and may only distribute cannabis in limited quantities to these members and may not sell it.
Black box for the car
From July 7, newly registered cars in Germany must be equipped with a so-called event data recorder. Like the black box in airplanes, data is to be stored that can be read out for clarification in the event of an accident.
More money for pensioners
The more than 21 million pensioners in Germany will receive a 4.57 percent increase in their pensions on July 1. For the first time, pensions in East and West will increase by the same amount. A pension of 1,000 euros will therefore increase by 45.70 euros.
From July, around three million people will also receive a significant increase in their disability pension: if the pension began between January 2001 and June 2014, the increase will be 7.5 percent. If the pension began between July 2014 and December 2018, the increase will be 4.5 percent.
Lids for drinks
In order to reduce waste in the countryside, loose caps on certain drinks will be banned from July 3. This applies to disposable packaging that is made entirely or partially of plastic – such as juice cartons or disposable PET bottles – with a volume of up to three liters.
Breast cancer early detection
The upper age limit for free breast cancer screening for those with statutory health insurance will be raised from 69 to 75. The new regulation is to be implemented on July 1.
Renovation of the Riedbahn
On July 15, Deutsche Bahn will begin the general renovation of the Riedbahn, which connects Frankfurt and Mannheim. The route will remain closed until December 14. Trains will be diverted and there will be rail replacement services.
Toll obligation for smaller vans
As of July 1, the toll obligation will also apply to smaller vans weighing more than 3.5 tonnes. Previously, it applied to vehicles weighing 7.5 tonnes and above.
All of Germany in the summer holidays
From July 26, when the students in Bavaria are the last to start their summer holidays, all schools in Germany will be closed simultaneously for a few days. Things will start again on August 1: That is when the 2024/25 school year begins for children and young people in Thuringia. Traditionally, there are many different holiday start dates in Germany, which the federal states coordinate with each other. This year there are seven different dates.
Luxury department store in Berlin closes
The French luxury department store Galeries Lafayette will close its Berlin location to customers on July 31. It is the only branch in Germany.
Bundestag salaries rise
There is more money for the 734 members of the Bundestag: on July 1, their salaries will rise by 6 percent. The MPs’ compensation will then rise by 635.50 to 11,227.20 euros per month.
Organ donation register for clinics available
From July 1, it will be possible for clinics to search for and access data from the organ donation register. Since March, volunteers have been able to enter declarations of their willingness to donate organs and tissue using the online function of their ID card.
Gas storage levy
The gas storage levy, which makes up part of the natural gas price, will rise to 2.50 euros per megawatt hour (0.25 cents per kilowatt hour) on July 1. It is currently 1.86 euros per megawatt hour. For a household with an annual consumption of 20,000 kilowatt hours, this results in additional costs of almost 13 euros per year.
Disability pension Members’ allowances EU regulation on plastic products, Article 6 Ministry of Transport on Event Data Recorder Information on the expansion of breast cancer screening Draft law for changes to the Cannabis Act Ministry of Health on Cannabis Gas storage levy
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
