Germany partly decriminalizes marijuana use starting 1 April

As of 1 April, Germany has taken a significant step in altering its stance on cannabis by partly decriminalizing its use, a move that has been widely anticipated since the German parliament’s decision in February.

The Bundestag, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s socially liberal coalition, voted in favour of liberalizing cannabis rules, with 407 votes for and 226 against, along with four abstentions.

This legislation aims to curb the black market and enhance the protection of young individuals from the risks associated with unregulated cannabis consumption.

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach highlighted the failure of previous laws to address the rise in consumption and the problems associated with contaminated or highly potent cannabis.

In response, the new law will allow adults to legally possess up to 25 grams of marijuana for recreational purposes and grow up to three plants per household. However, restrictions are in place to prevent smoking near schools, sports centres, and pedestrian zones during specific hours.

From 1 July, German residents over 18 can join nonprofit “cannabis clubs” limited to 500 members, who can collectively grow cannabis for personal use. These clubs will operate on a not-for-profit basis, with no on-site consumption allowed. The legislation also caps the amount of cannabis one can purchase, imposing stricter limits for those under 21.

The government is also implementing a ban on cannabis advertising and sponsoring, emphasizing the protection of children and youth. An evaluation of the legislation’s impact on these groups is planned within 18 months.

Despite the reform, the legislation has faced criticism from the center-right opposition, with claims that it would not effectively reduce consumption among minors. Lauterbach, however, insists that the new laws will tighten penalties for dealers targeting children and youth.

This legislation is part of a series of reforms by Scholz’s coalition, aiming to modernize Germany’s social policies. These include easing citizenship rules, allowing dual citizenship, and simplifying the process for transgender, intersex, and nonbinary individuals to change their names and genders in official records.

Meanwhile, on a global scale, Thailand is moving in the opposite direction with plans to ban recreational marijuana use by the end of the year, focusing instead on medical applications, as stated by Public Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew.