German Parliament Approves Legalization of Personal Cannabis Use
Cannabis consumption has been legalised in Germany by the parliament, and the law will come into force in April in private places and clubs. The decision was made by Germany's lower house, the Bundestag, on Friday. The Freedom Party coalition passed the controversial law despite widespread criticism. Adults will be allowed to grow up to three plants and buy up to 25 grams of the drug per day. But critics fear that these measures will encourage more young people to use it.
Germany's upper house, which represents the 16 state governments, could in principle postpone the law, although it does not formally require the chamber's approval.
The conservative Bavarian state government has also said it will see if legal action can be taken to stop the law.
On Friday, the plans, which are part of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's social reform programme, were passed by 407 votes to 226.
The law also allows German residents over the age of 18 to join non-profit "cannabis clubs" with a maximum of 500 members each, which can only grow the drug for personal use from 1 July.
According to the new legislation, dealers caught selling to children or teenagers can be imprisoned for up to two years.
The measures were previously scheduled to become law at the beginning of the year, but were delayed due to opposition from some lawmakers in Mr Scholz's ruling three-party coalition.
"We have two goals: to tackle the black market and to improve the protection of children and young people," said Karl Lauterbach, Minister of Health.
He added that Germany's current laws have failed as use is on the rise and the country is facing increasing problems due to contaminated or overly concentrated batches. Approximately 4.5 million Germans use the drug.
Research shows that the best approach to tackling drugs is to remove social taboos and ensure that users are informed about the risks.
However, conservative MP Tino Sorge, a member of Germany's centre-right opposition, has attacked the plans.
As The Gaze wrote, in December, the Ukrainian parliament legalised medical cannabis.
Cannabis-based medicines are allowed in 56 countries, including the EU, Canada, the UK, and the US.