Recreational Marijuana Finally Fully Legalized in Germany

Germany has finally passed a new law permitting individuals over the age of 18 to legally smoke cannabis. This legislation, effective from April 1, allows for personal possession and makes Germany the largest EU country to legalize recreational cannabis.

The decision to adopt this much-debated law, that permits adults to have a maximum of 25 grams (0.88 ounce) of dried cannabis while in public areas and allows the cultivation of up to three marijuana plants at home, followed a contentious discussion surrounding the advantages and disadvantages of facilitating easier access to cannabis.

According to the new law, marijuana use in public areas adjacent to schools, sports facilities, and children’s playgrounds will be banned from 7:00am to 8:00pm. Minors found with cannabis will be required to complete a drug abuse prevention program.

Also, from July 1 onwards, new law permits the cultivation of drugs on a larger scale within non-profit cannabis clubs. These clubs are limited to a maximum of 500 members and are solely responsible for growing plants for personal use. The intention behind these cannabis clubs is to ensure that only residents of Germany can access them, as a means to prevent an influx of tourists seeking to enjoy marijuana for recreational purposes without any hassle.

Germany’s coalition government, headed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, has put forth the argument that legalizing recreational cannabis would aid in the curbing of the expanding illicit market for this widely used substance.

On the other hand, several medical associations have cautioned that the decision to decriminalize cannabis could pose significant risks, particularly for the younger population, calling new law a “disaster” and warning about an unavoidable increase in cannabis usage, primarily among young individuals, with easier product access and a transformation of its public perception resulting in normalization.

Medical professionals also cautioned that cannabis has addictive properties and expressed concerns that the implementation of these new measures will lead to a rise in usage and potential health risks, particularly among younger individuals.

The German law enforcement authorities have expressed worries about the anticipated “chaos phase” beginning on April 1. According to experts, there will likely be a rapid increase in demand that surpasses the legal supply, as it will take several months for cannabis clubs to become operational. Alexander Poitz, a representative from the German Police Union (GdP), stated that they expect the illicit market to become stronger as a result.

In 2021, official statistics revealed that 8.8% of German adults between the ages of 18 and 64 reported using cannabis within the past year. The percentage for individuals aged 12 to 17 was approximately 10%.