The bill, which will next be considered by the parliament, would mark a significant turn in Germany’s conservative drug policy when it enters into force.
The German government on Wednesday approved a new bill that allows the purchase and possession of cannabis for recreational use. The country tried to promote the project earlier in the spring, but at that time the European Commission stood in the way of legalization dreams.
According to the recent proposal, adults would be allowed to possess a maximum of 25 grams of cannabis. In addition, the law would allow the cultivation of up to three cannabis plants for personal use.
The bill also states that people would be allowed to join non-profit “cannabis clubs” with a maximum of 500 members, where cannabis could be grown and sold legally.
The new law would include many other restrictions. Cannabis clubs should have impact-resistant doors and windows, and their greenhouses should be fenced. In addition, the smoking of cannabis would be prohibited in the premises of clubs and in the vicinity of schools, kindergartens, playgrounds and sports fields.
Discipline illegal trade
The bill, which will next be considered by the parliament, would mark a significant turn in Germany’s conservative drug policy when it enters into force.
Chancellor of Germany By Olaf Scholz led government has said that it hopes that the legalization of cannabis would reduce the illegal drug trade, the sale of impure drugs and drug crime.
However, the government’s optimism may turn out to be wishful thinking. For example, in the US state of California, the legalization of cannabis has improved the availability of the drug, but with high taxation, its illegal sale is only increased.
The German law reform would also include a state-funded campaign on the adverse effects of smoking cannabis, which is hoped to permanently reduce the consumption of the hemp plant used as an intoxicant. The country’s health minister by Karl Lauterbach however, an awareness campaign alone is not enough to reduce cannabis smoking.
– With the current measures, we are not able to protect children and young people, because the topic has become a taboo in society. Problem use is on the rise, and we cannot allow this to continue, Lauterbach said when presenting the new bill in Berlin on Wednesday.
According to surveys, every fourth 18-25-year-old living in Germany has smoked cannabis at least once.
The reform is gathering criticism
Opposition to the reform pushed by the German government has been strong. Opponents of the project feel that the legalization of cannabis will only encourage more people to use drugs, and burden the authorities even more.
– This law will lead to a complete loss of control, the interior minister of the state of Saxony Armin Schuster states the German media to RND.
UNODC, the UN office responsible for combating drugs and crime, has also reported that the smoking of cannabis and the health problems associated with its use have increased in countries where its consumption has been legalized.
However, according to Minister of Health Lauterbach, Germany intends to learn from the mistakes made by other countries. For example, the German government has abandoned plans for the large-scale sale of cannabis.
Instead, the process of legalizing cannabis is supposed to start with a five-year trial period, where sales will be allowed in individual stores and only in certain areas. However, this still requires a separate decision.
According to critics, the illegal drug trade can only be brought under control when the drugs are found on store shelves.
Sources: AFP, Reuters