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German cannabis control bill

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Cannabisgesetz
German Bundestag
  • Gesetz zum kontrollierten Umgang mit Cannabis und zur Änderung weiterer Vorschriften[1]
Territorial extentGermany
Enacted byGerman Bundestag
Enacted27 March 2024
Commenced1 April 2024
Status: In force

The German cannabis control bill (German: Cannabisgesetz) is a bill passed by the German Bundestag in February 2024, and the Bundesrat in March, that legalised the adult (18-years-old and over) use of cannabis in Germany, as well as the personal possession and cultivation of limited amounts of cannabis by adults in Germany, beginning on 1 April 2024. Adults in Germany are allowed to possess up to 25 grams of cannabis in public and up to 50 grams of dried cannabis at home. Each individual adult in Germany may also have up to three of their own cannabis plants at home. As part of the bill, adult-only non-profit cannabis social clubs with a maximum of 500 members became legal in Germany on 1 July 2024.

2015 proposal

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Entwurf eines Cannabiskontrollgesetzes (CannKG; "Draft of a cannabis control law") was a bill proposed in 2015 that would remove cannabis from the list of scheduled drugs in Germany's Narcotic Drugs Act. The issue was proposed by Alliance 90/The Greens (the German Green Party).[when?] It would regulate cannabis in a manner similar to alcohol, with adults 18 years old permitted to buy and possess up to 30 grams in regulated stores.[2][3]

2022 proposal

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A new regulatory framework that would legalise cannabis in Germany was brought out with an Eckpunktepapier ("cornerstone paper", or framework paper), introduced on 26 October 2022 by Minister of Health and member of the Bundestag, Karl Lauterbach, who is a physician and epidemiologist trained in the United States and Germany.

The 2022 deregulation proposal was leaked around 19 October 2022.[4][5][6]

2023 proposal

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In March 2023, the health minister, Karl Lauterbach, reported a positive reaction from European Commission on the plan, and intended to bring a bill forward soon.[7]

The finalised bill received approval of the governing parties on 2 February 2024.[8][9] The Bundestag passed the bill on 23 February 2024, and the Bundesrat approved it on 22 March, with the national legalisation to follow by 1 April.[10][11] The final bill legislates that adults in Germany (those aged 18 and over) can legally use cannabis, possess and carry up to 25 grams (7⁄8 oz) of cannabis for personal possession in public and have up to 50 grams (1+3⁄4 oz) of dried cannabis at home.[12] The legislation states that adults have a maximum purchase limit of 25 grams of cannabis a day and a monthly maximum purchase limit of 50 grams of cannabis.[13] Each individual adult in Germany can also have up to three of their own cannabis plants at home.[14] From 1 July 2024, adult residents of Germany will be allowed to join adult-only non-profit cannabis social clubs in Germany, with a maximum membership of 500.[15] These cannabis social clubs will require permits.[16] Consumption of cannabis near schools, kindergartens, public playgrounds, sports facilities and "pedestrian zones in city centers between 7 am and 8 pm" will not be allowed.[17][12]

Development

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Details of a leaked version of a new scaled-back plan were published by German newspaper Die Zeit in late March. The new plan would have experimental controlled legalization in sub-national areas.[18][19]

The new plan was officially announced on 12 April. Provisions included legal possession of up to 25 grams of cannabis, and home- or club-grown cannabis, but did not allow large-scale commercial production and sale of the plant.[20]

The proposal was accepted by the federal cabinet on 16 August to be submitted to parliament.[21] If it goes through as planned by the health ministry, the law could be in effect as early as the beginning of 2024.[22] It survived a challenges by German states in the Bundesrat in late September, prior to its being taken up by the Bundestag.[23][24]

A version of the bill agreed to by the German governing coalition, the traffic light coalition, was released on 27 November 2023, with a vote planned soon to allow for legal possession by adults by 1 April 2024.[25] A vote on the bill was considered likely to pass by 1 December.[26] Health Minister Lauterbach said in January 2024 that the bill would be passed by the Bundestag in the week between 19 and 23 February and then go into force beginning on 1 April.[27]

According to a YouGov poll in February 2024, 47% of Germans stated that they either somewhat or completely support the bill, while 42% of respondents said they somewhat or completely oppose the bill.[28]

Reception

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The issuance of the draft regulations by Ministry of Health was called "decisive step toward legalization" by Politico.[6]

Deutscher Hanfverband criticised a 15% THC limit in the leaked draft.[29]

The bill has been criticised by many in the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) because it does not allow for the control of cannabis via sales from licensed stores, which they state would tackle organised crime and reduce the burden on the police.[30] A 2021 study from the University of Düsseldorf concluded that legal sales of recreational cannabis in Germany could raise over $5.3 billion in additional yearly tax revenue and create 27,000 jobs in the country.[31]

Those from the opposition CDU/CSU said if they form a government after the next German federal election they will completely scrap the bill.[32] The conservative CSU government of Bavaria wanted to see if it could take a legal route to stop the implementation of the bill.[33]

Provisions

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Provisions of the October 2022 framework paper include sales in licensed establishments, and personal possession by adults over 18 years of 20 to 30 grams of cannabis without THC content limit. There may be sales limitations regarding persons under 21 years of age.[34][35]

Effect

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The ministry document is intended to have direct effect under Directive (EU) 2015/1535. Germany said it would present the framework paper to the European Union before implementing legislation.[36]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Gesetz zum kontrollierten Umgang mit Cannabis und zur Änderung weiterer Vorschriften (Cannabisgesetz — CanG)". Bundesgesetzblatt. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  2. ^ "Cannabis-Gesetz der Grünen: Kiffen, aber richtig" [Cannabis law of the Greens: smoking pot, but the right way]. Der Spiegel (in German). 4 March 2015.
  3. ^ "Grüne wollen jedem drei Cannabis-Pflanzen gönnen" [The greens think everyone deserves to have three cannabis plants]. Die Welt (in German). 4 March 2015. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  4. ^ "Bundesregierung veroeffentlicht das Eckpunktepapier" [Federal government publishes [leaked] framework paper]. Hanf Journal (in German). 19 October 2022.
  5. ^ Bernd Pickert (19 October 2022). "Geleakte Cannabis-Eckpunkte: Was haben die denn geraucht?" [Leaked cannabis framework]. Die Tageszeitung. Die geleakten Cannabis-Eckpunkte lassen die Hoffnung auf eine Freigabe schwinden. Qualität und Quantität sollen weiterhin massiv kontrolliert werden.
  6. ^ a b Westendarp, Louis (19 October 2022). "Germany's plan to legalize cannabis is out. Here's what it says". Politico. Germany plans to decriminalize the purchase and possession of small amounts of cannabis, allow licensed sales in shops, but advertising would be banned. The so-called cornerstone paper represents a decisive step toward legalization in the EU's most populous nation
  7. ^ Gilchrist, Karen (22 March 2023). "'Cannabis in Germany will be a success story': Europe's biggest economy moves closer to weed legalization". CNBC.
  8. ^ "Germany to legalize cannabis as of April 1". Yahoo! News. Deutsche Presse-Agentur. 2 February 2024. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  9. ^ "Ampelfraktionen bei Cannabislegalisierung offenbar einig" [Traffic light coalition appears to agree on legalization of cannabis]. Der Spiegel (in German). 2 February 2024.
  10. ^ "Nach langem Ringen: Bundestag verabschiedet Cannabis-Legalisierung" [After a long struggle: the Bundestag passes cannabis legalization] (in German). Deutscher Bundestag. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  11. ^ Hilsman, Patrick (22 March 2024). "Germany legalizes recreational consumption of marijuana". UPI. The German Bundesrat has legalized cannabis consumption, with some restrictions, starting in April
  12. ^ a b Thurau, Jens (23 February 2024). "Cannabis will be legal in Germany — within limits". Deutsche Welle (DW). Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  13. ^ Herrington, A.J. (27 February 2024). "German Lawmakers Vote To Legalize Cannabis". High Times. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  14. ^ Scally, Derek (23 February 2024). "German MPs vote to legalise cannabis for personal use". The Irish Times. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  15. ^ "Germany to vote on legalising cannabis but under strict regulations". ITV News. 23 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  16. ^ "Will cannabis legalisation in Germany lead to a boom in sales?". The Local. 26 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  17. ^ Moulson, Geir (23 February 2024). "Germany's parliament votes to legalize limited marijuana possession and allow 'cannabis clubs'". PBS NewsHour. Associated Press. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  18. ^ Tim Neumann; Tilman Steffen (31 March 2023). "Karl Lauterbach plant Cannabislegalisierung light" [Karl Lauterbach plans cannabis legalization "light"]. Die Zeit (in German).(subscription required)
  19. ^ "Cannabis-Gesetz lässt auf sich warten – Vorschlag 'in Kürze'" [Wait longer for cannabis law – details 'shortly']. Stern (in German). DPA. 31 March 2023. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023.
  20. ^ "Germany scales back cannabis legalization plans to focus on home cultivation". Politico. 12 April 2023.
  21. ^ Sarah Marsh; Andreas Rinke (16 August 2023). "German cabinet OKs landmark bill over legal cannabis use". Reuters. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  22. ^ Patrick Freiwah (11 September 2023). "Cannabis-Legalisierung in Deutschland: Soll Eigenanbau möglich sein?". Augsburger Allgemeine (in German). Augsburg, Germany. Wenn alles läuft, wie derzeit vom Bundesgesundheitsministerium geplant, soll das Gesetz bereits Anfang 2024 in Kraft treten. [If everything goes as currently planned by the Federal Ministry of Health, the law should come into force as early as the beginning of 2024.]
  23. ^ "Länder kritisieren geplante Cannabis-Legalisierung" [States criticise planned cannabis legalization]. RBB24.de (in German). Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg. 29 September 2023.
  24. ^ Hasso Suliak (29 September 2023). "Legalisierungsgegner scheitern im Bundesrat" [Opponents of legalization fail in Bundesrat] (in German). Legal Tribune Online [de].
  25. ^ "Toleranzmenge, Bannzone, Eigenanbau: Gesetz zur Cannabis-Legalisierung wird entschärft – die Beschlüsse im Überblick" [Tolerated quantities, exclusion zones, home cultivation: cannabis legalization law is being circulated: overview of the decisions]. Der Tagesspiegel (in German). 27 November 2023.
  26. ^ Meehan, Maureen (27 November 2023). "Historic Step For Germany: Lawmakers Agree On Revised Marijuana Bill, Vote Expected Next Week". Benzinga.
  27. ^ Hubenko, Dmytro (20 January 2024). "German minister aims for cannabis legalization by spring". Deutsche Welle.
  28. ^ "Germany's Bundestag votes for cannabis legalization". Deutsche Welle (DW). 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  29. ^ Christian Hensen (23 October 2022). "Gebt das Hanf frei – und zwar richtig". Stern. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  30. ^ Zhang, Mona; Wilke, Peter (23 February 2024). "German lawmakers pass cannabis legalization bill". Politico EU. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  31. ^ Sabaghi, Dario (23 February 2024). "Germany Becomes The Third EU Country To Legalize Cannabis For Personal Use". Forbes. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  32. ^ McGuinness, Damien (23 February 2024). "Germany legalises cannabis, but makes it hard to buy". BBC News. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  33. ^ Hope, Russell (23 February 2024). "Cannabis: Germany legalises possession of drug for personal use". Sky News. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  34. ^ Jan Drebes; Antje Höning (25 October 2022). "So soll die Cannabis-Freigabe ablaufen" [This is how the cannabis deregulation is supposed to work]. Rheinische Post.
  35. ^ "Bundeskabinett befasst sich mit Cannabis-Legalisierung" [Federal cabinet deals with cannabis legalization]. Die Zeit (in German). Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA). 26 October 2022.
  36. ^ Alkousaa, Riham (26 October 2022). "Germany to legalize cannabis use for recreational purposes". Reuters. Retrieved 13 May 2024.

Further reading

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