German Parliament votes to legalize limited possession of marijuana

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BERLIN (AP) — German lawmakers on Friday approved a government plan to liberalize cannabis rules, paving the way for the country to decriminalize possession of limited amounts of marijuana and allow members of “cannabis clubs” to purchase it. for recreational purposes.

The lower house of Parliament approved the law, an important reform project of the socially liberal ruling coalition of Olaf Scholz, by 407 votes in favor and 226 against. There were four abstentions.

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said the government aims to “combat the black market” and better protect young people. He claimed that current laws in the European Union’s most populous nation have failed, given the rise in consumption and increasing problems with contaminated or overly concentrated cannabis.

Lauterbach noted that he himself has long opposed the legalization of cannabis and said that addiction researchers say the right approach is to make marijuana no longer taboo and provide information about its risks.

The bill plans to legalize possession of up to 25 grams (nearly an ounce) of marijuana by adults for recreational purposes and allow people to grow up to three plants. That part of the law will supposedly go into effect on April 1.

People over 18 years of age residing in Germany will be able to join non-profit “cannabis clubs” of up to 500 members starting July 1. Clubs will be able to grow cannabis for the consumption of their own members.

The government plans to ban the promotion or sponsorship of cannabis, and it will be prohibited to establish clubs and use the substance near schools, recreational parks and sports facilities. An evaluation of the effect of the law on the protection of children and young people will be carried out in the following 18 months from its entry into force.

The main center-right opposition bloc is vehemently opposed to the change.

“You, as Minister of Health, affirm here with all seriousness… that with the legalization of more drugs we will stop consumption among children and young people,” conservative legislator Tino Sorge told Lauterbach. “That is the biggest nonsense I have ever heard.”