Berlin Celebrates Legalization of Cannabis for Personal Use
A new law came into effect in Germany at midnight today: adults in Germany can now possess up to 25 grams of cannabis for personal use and store up to 50 grams at home. Public consumption will be allowed as long as it is not within sight of children or near sports facilities. So, at midnight, smokers gathered at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin to have a "smoke break" and welcome the new rules, which were introduced after a heated debate about the pros and cons of making drugs easier to access, DW writes.
"Finally we can show ourselves, we don't have to hide any more," said Henry Plottke, a member of the German Cannabis Association (DHV), at a meeting in Berlin.
The event was organised by the Berlin branch of the DHV and registered with the police.
The law had previously been supported by the government and had already been passed in the Bundestag, but it could have been thwarted by the Bundesrat, which consists of delegates from the governments of Germany's 16 states.
Some representatives in the chamber argued about the negative consequences of the law, and a proposal to send the law to a mediation committee threatened to delay the implementation of the law.
However, the initiative failed to gain enough votes, clearing the way for cannabis to become legal on 1 April.
Health Minister Karl Lauterbach once again advocated for this lenient policy, arguing that the previous prohibition policy had failed and led to an increase in the black market.
From 1 July, special cannabis clubs will be allowed to grow and buy the drug in a limited way. The clubs can have up to 500 members.
Cannabis will remain prohibited for minors.