The German Bundestag has passed a new law that allows the recreational use of cannabis.
According to the law, people over 18 are allowed to possess significant amounts of cannabis in Germany, but strict rules make it difficult to buy the drug.
Smoking cannabis in many public spaces will be legal from April 1st.
The possession of up to 25 g, which corresponds to dozens of strong joints, should be permitted in public spaces.
In some parts of Germany, such as Berlin, police already turn a blind eye to smoking in public, even though recreational drug possession is illegal and can lead to prosecution.
I often do this. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, who is launching reforms, said that despite current laws, the use of the drug among young people has increased rapidly in recent years.
He wants to weaken the black market, protect smokers from tainted marijuana, and cut off a source of income for organized crime syndicates.
But legal cannabis cafes aren’t suddenly popping up all over the country.
A heated debate over the decriminalization of cannabis has been going on in Germany for years.
Medical groups have expressed concern for young people, and conservatives have argued that liberalization will increase drug use.
Importantly, the market is highly regulated, so buying drugs is not easy.
Initial plans to allow licensed stores and pharmacies to sell cannabis have been scrapped due to EU concerns it could lead to an increase in drug exports.
Instead, non-profit members’ clubs, so-called “cannabis social clubs”, would be established to distribute limited quantities of the drug.
The maximum number of members for each club is 500, the consumption of cannabis is not allowed on the premises and membership is only open to German residents.
You are also allowed to grow your own cannabis, with a maximum of three marijuana plants allowed per household.
This means that Germany could find itself in the paradoxical position of allowing the possession of relatively large quantities of the drug while at the same time making it more difficult to purchase.
Regular smokers would benefit, but occasional users would have difficulty purchasing it legally and tourists would be excluded. Critics say this will only fuel the black market.