Germany presents less ambitious cannabis legalization plan than expected

With our correspondent in Berlin, Pascal Thibault

“ We do not want to create a problem, but to find a solution to an existing problem “says Karl Lauterbach, German Minister of Health. According to him, the current situation constitutes an impasse. The development of the black market, products that are not always of high quality, thousands of lawsuits initiated by the police and the courts are opposed to a social reality. And the three member parties of the coalition – the Social Democrats, the Greens and the Liberals – have made the legalization of cannabis an if not central, but symbolic project of their coalition contract.

Berlin plans to make possession of 25g of cannabis for private use legal as well as three plants per person. The prohibition for minors remains. The compromise adopted provides that cannabis enthusiasts become members of a club, limited to 500 members, which produces cannabis and sells it within the limit of 25 g per day and fifty per month provided for.

A first assessment within five years

Germany would have liked a more ambitious model with production and licenses for the distribution of cannabis controlled by the state. Berlin had presented, in October 2022, its roadmap for this project.

But this conflicts with European legislation which provides for prosecution of drug use. Berlin does not despair in the future of convincing other countries to reform this legal framework. For now, such a project must be set up in pilot regions where an assessment will be made after five years. The reform presented on Wednesday is due to come into force this year. It will always remain categorically prohibited for minors.

► Read also : In Canada, a hangover for the cannabis industry four years after a thunderous start

(And with AFP)