In Germany, the consumption of recreational cannabis is now permitted, since its legalization on April 1, 2024. Adult amateurs can possess 25 grams of cannabis in public places and home cultivation, up to 50 grams. But as Germany is a federal country, each regional state has a certain degree of freedom to decide how to apply the new legislation and many gray areas remain.
From our correspondent in Berlin, Salomé Hénon-Cohin
A month ago, the atmosphere was relaxed at the Brandenburg Gate. Defenders of the legalization of cannabis all gathered to celebrate its decriminalization. But since then, for professionals in the sector, a race against time has begun. Because the April 1, not only did cannabis become legal, but a whole sector estimated at several billion euros has opened up in Germany. Latest estimates show that the German government could pocket up to 3 billion euros per year from cannabis taxes.
So the professionals get organized. Filip Wawrzyniak is the founder of the company BerlinGreen which has existed for 5 years. This Berlin start-up specializes in the production of grow boxes, these boxes which recreate the ideal conditions for growing basil, pepper or even cannabis. “ We were already in a good position even before legalization a few weeks ago. We already had the perfect product on the market. »
With the box, it is possible to have 50 grams approximately every 2 months. This business leader does not really believe in the future of cannabis social clubs, these associations to which people wishing to buy legal cannabis will have to join from July. “ It’s like in the 1990s, there were internet cafes everywhere, but now there aren’t any anymore because everyone has internet at home. »
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A comparison that Max Okonechnikov, head of communications for a company that manages several of these Cannabis Social Clubs, refutes: “ I don’t see it that way because not all of us are gardeners. Of course, there will be home gardeners, those who have grown cannabis before or those who are interested. But in my opinion, 90% of people or a large majority will just want to go to a place and buy their cannabis there. »
But be careful, these clubs will not be coffee shops like in Amsterdam for example, and even less stores where you can simply buy cannabis: “ Marketing is prohibited, recreational cannabis is not sold, but given against a subscription. » Because that’s the law. The government forces cannabis users to either grow plants at home or take out a subscription to a cannabis social club. But for now, the clubs are being formed and will not open until July 2024.
The cultivation of the plant, for its part, takes a relatively long time, so much so that the only way to obtain cannabis currently is still on the black market.
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