In a festive display of celebration and solidarity, German cannabis campaigners and enthusiasts gathered at Berlin’s iconic Brandenburg Gate to mark the implementation of the nation’s newly liberalized marijuana law. At the stroke of midnight early Monday, attendees lit up celebratory joints, participating in a legal “smoke-in” that signified a significant shift in Germany’s approach to cannabis.
The new legislation, passed by Germany’s government, permits adults to possess small quantities of marijuana, making it the largest European Union country to legalize possession for recreational use. However, the purchase and sale of cannabis remain illegal, carrying potential fines and imprisonment.
Under the new law, adults can now carry up to 25 grams (almost an ounce) of marijuana and store up to 50 grams at home. Additionally, they are allowed to grow up to three plants for personal use. Starting in July, adults who prefer not to grow their own plants can join “cannabis clubs,” which are licensed nonprofit growing cooperatives limited to 500 members. Members must actively participate in cultivation to access the club’s cannabis, as passive membership solely for purchasing cannabis is not allowed. There are slightly stricter regulations for young adults between 18 and 21, and marijuana remains illegal for minors.
Georg Wurth, director of the German Cannabis Association, hailed the new law as an end to decades of police harassment of cannabis users. He emphasized that Germany’s move would have international repercussions, expecting many countries to follow suit.
Although the amounts permitted in Germany are relatively small compared to other places, such as New York, where adults can possess up to three ounces of cannabis flower, the new law positions Germany as one of the most lenient countries regarding marijuana in the European Union. Malta and Luxembourg also have relatively open laws on marijuana, while the Netherlands, known for its tolerant reputation, maintains a policy of “toleration” for small-scale cannabis sales.
At the Brandenburg Gate, the atmosphere was one of jubilation, with people dancing, playing music, and holding signs advocating for the end of cannabis prohibition. Attendees expressed relief at no longer being considered criminals for their cannabis use.
The legislation was introduced by Germany’s ruling coalition, which includes Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s center-left Social Democrats (SPD), the Greens, and the Free Democrats. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach of the SPD emphasized that the new law would improve addiction support, youth prevention efforts, and combat the black market.
However, some within the federal government, like Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union, expressed concerns about the law’s potential risks, such as impaired driving, youth health, and legal complications regarding past criminal convictions. Merz has pledged to overturn the law if his party wins in the next national elections.
(Source: AP | BBC | Euro News | Washington Post | CNN)
