- Germany has legalized possession of small amounts of cannabis.
- The new law allows adults to possess up to nearly an ounce of marijuana and grow up to three plants for personal use, starting immediately.
- Germany’s conservative opposition party has vowed to repeal the law if it wins the next election.
Marijuana activists in Germany sparked celebrations on Monday after the country eased regulations to allow possession of small amounts of cannabis.
The German Cannabis Association, which had been campaigning for the new law, held a “smoke-in” at Berlin’s landmark Brandenburg Gate after the law came into effect at midnight. Other public consumption events were planned across the country, including in front of Cologne Cathedral, Hamburg, Regensburg and Dortmund.
The new law makes it legal for adults to possess up to nearly an ounce of marijuana for recreational purposes and allows individuals to grow up to three marijuana plants themselves. That portion of the bill took effect Monday.
German government to decriminalize limited quantities of marijuana
Starting July 1, German residents over the age of 18 will be able to join non-profit “cannabis clubs” with up to 500 members. An individual can buy up to 25 grams per day or up to 50 grams per month, but there is a limit to this figure if he is under 21 years old, he can buy up to 30 grams. You cannot belong to multiple clubs.
Germany has legalized possession of small amounts of cannabis. The new law took effect on Monday. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
The club’s expenses would be covered by membership fees, which would be tiered based on the amount of marijuana used by members.
The law also calls for amnesty, under which penalties for cannabis-related crimes that are no longer illegal would be reviewed and, in many cases, revoked. Local authorities fear the judicial system will be overburdened with thousands of cases.
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The law was passed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s current coalition government of the Social Democrats, the Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats over opposition from some federal states and the centre-right Christian Democratic Party. . Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Party, has vowed to withdraw the bill if his party wins national elections scheduled for autumn 2025.
Major garden centers surveyed by DPA said they would not include cannabis plants in their garden products, and the German Medical Association said the law could have “serious consequences for the development and life prospects of our young people.” He opposed this law on the grounds that it was Our country. “
