On Monday, April 1 Germany made history by becoming the largest EU country to legalize recreational cannabis, despite facing strong opposition from political rivals and medical organizations. The new law, which represents the initial phase of a much-discussed legislative change, permits adults aged 18 and above to possess up to 25 grams of dried cannabis and cultivate up to three marijuana plants at home.
With these amendments, Germany now boasts some of the most progressive cannabis regulations in Europe, joining the ranks of Malta and Luxembourg, which legalized recreational cannabis in 2021 and 2023, respectively. Despite the Netherlands‘ reputation for tolerance towards cannabis, the country has adopted a more stringent approach in recent times to counter cannabis tourism.
As the law came into effect at midnight, crowds gathered near Berlin’s iconic Brandenburg Gate to celebrate, with many individuals lighting joints as a symbol of newfound freedom. Niyazi, a jubilant 25-year-old participant, described the occasion as “a bit of extra freedom.” The next phase of the legal reform, scheduled for July 1, will allow for the legal acquisition of cannabis through “cannabis clubs” across the country.
These regulated associations will be permitted to have up to 500 members each and distribute up to 50 grams of cannabis per person per month. In the interim period, consumers are advised not to disclose the source of their cannabis purchases during police encounters, according to Georg Wurth, director of the German Cannabis Association.
However, the law has drawn criticism from law enforcement officials, who express concerns about enforcement challenges. Alexander Poitz, vice-president of the GdP police union, anticipates conflicts between officers and citizens due to mutual uncertainty surrounding the new regulations. Additionally, the law’s retroactive amnesty for cannabis-related offenses poses administrative complexities for the legal system, potentially affecting over 200,000 cases, as stated by the German Judges’ Association.
While conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz vows to repeal the law if his party assumes government leadership following the 2025 nationwide elections, Finance Minister Christian Lindner of the liberal FDP asserts that legalization is a responsible decision, preferable to pushing individuals towards the illicit market.
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