Cannabis distribution is a contentious issue in Germany. The federal cabinet has now voted to legalise the substance to some extent. The purchase and possession of cannabis will be permitted in the future – under certain restrictions, according to Health Minister Lauterbach.
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| Cannabis plant |
The federal government of Germany has long favoured cannabis legalisation. Karl Lauterbach, the federal minister of health, released a key issues paper months ago with the goal of kicking off the drug’s partial legalisation. The draught bill has now been approved by the Federal Cabinet.
POSSESSION OF 25 GRAMMES OF CANNABIS IS NOT CONSIDERED ILLEGAL
The purchase and possession of up to 25 grammes of marijuana from the age of 18 onwards will typically be punished-free, according to the proposed regulation. Customers can purchase it at so-called “cannabis clubs,” however there are a few requirements. Then, it is also allowed to grow up to three cannabis plants.
Cannabis will also no longer be designated as a forbidden narcotic under the Narcotics Act, where it was formerly included with heroin and other substances and was subject to the same punishments.
Cannabis clubs in Germany
The clubs should be structured similarly to cooperatives, require a permit, and are limited to 500 members. A maximum of 25 grammes per day and 50 grammes per month may be purchased by each member. Teenagers between the ages of 18 and 21 are only permitted to purchase up to 30 grammes of cannabis per month in clubs with a THC level no higher than 10%.
There, the plants will be “community” and “non-commercially” cultivated, with membership fees serving as funding. The greenhouses must have a privacy screen and be secured against break-ins.
Cannabis clubs, commonly referred to as “growth associations,” are prohibited from participating in sponsorship or advertising. Additionally, smoking marijuana there is only permitted from 200 metres away. This also holds true for educational institutions, youth centres, playgrounds, and open-access sporting venues.
Every club should also create a health and youth protection concept and designate an official responsible for addiction prevention who must be educated and attend frequent refresher sessions.
For minors under the age of 18, cannabis possession and use are still forbidden. They won’t be charged, though, if they are found with marijuana. If the police capture them, though, they ought to participate in intervention and preventative programmes. Drug dealers, however, are still subject to punishment.
There is also a lower THC content when selling cannabis to those between the ages of 18 and 21.
The Thuringian State Medical Association feels that this is not enough. A statement claims that the law falls short of the federal government’s vision for the protection of children and adolescents. There is a chance that kids and teenagers will consume more cannabis. Before the age of 25, the human brain is not fully developed. Teens who used cannabis frequently and early in adolescence ran the risk of developing social and medical problems such an increase in psychoses, depression, or anxiety disorders.
The exact day that the bill will go into effect is not yet known. That depends on how swiftly the Bundestag debates it and makes a legalisation decision following the summer recess. Like any legislation, it must be dealt with legally by the Bundesrat, but Lauterbach claims that because it doesn’t need the state chamber’s blessing, the Bundesrat cannot block it. Lauterbach, the federal minister of health, is certain that the law will remain in effect until January 1, 2024. Cannabis will continue to be illegal until then.
Criminal procedures and existing investigations should be covered when the new legislation takes effect.
The federal government is also drafting legislation to control the retail selling of cannabis. Before the year was over, Lauterbach declared a similar draught.
While playing a significant part in legalisation, Health Minister Lauterbach has stated that he will not be using marijuana personally. At the bill presentation, he remarked, “I’ve mentioned on another occasion that I’ve tried consuming previously, but I’m intending, I don’t intend not to drink.
- Cannabis is no longer a prohibited substance under Germany’s Narcotics Act. Possession and consumption remain unpunished under certain conditions.
- Adults are allowed up to 25 grams per day, maximum 50 grams per month, 18 to 21 year olds are allowed a maximum of 50 grams per month (with an upper limit on the active ingredient content of a maximum of 10mg).
- The distribution takes place via so-called cannabis clubs, for which certain rules apply. You are not allowed to advertise.
- The cultivation in the association is financed by membership fees, so there is no sale in that sense.
- A maximum of three “female flowering plants” are allowed in self-cultivation – protected from access by children and young people.
- Consumption in public near schools or day-care centers is prohibited. It is not allowed to smoke weed in pedestrian zones between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.
- Previous convictions for possession or cultivation of up to 25 grams or a maximum of three plants can be deleted from the federal central register upon request if the behavior at that time is no longer punishable under the new law. With the entry into force of the law, investigations and criminal proceedings that no longer have a basis under the new law will be ended.
- A federal government campaign aims to draw attention to the dangers of cannabis use for young people.
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What is Cannabis?
The Indian hemp plant known as cannabis is the source of the hallucinogenic chemical tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). This ingredient’s active component induces intoxication.
Hashish and marijuana are the two cannabis compounds that are most frequently used as sedatives in this nation. The old phrase refers to the plant’s dried petals, stalks, and leaves. The dried resin from the glandular hairs of the female plant is known as hashish.
Psychoactive Effects of THC
The euphoric properties of cannabis are brought on by the compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). It binds to “cannabinoid receptors,” which are found all over the body but are most frequently in the brain. THC physically floods the brain when cannabis is consumed. All cannabinoid system-controlled processes, including motor coordination, information processing, and memory, may be impacted by this.