For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails
Sign up to our free breaking news emails
Germany’s parliament has passed a law on legalising the cultivation and consumption of a limited amount of cannabis, regularising the behaviour of the 4.5 million Germans estimated to use the drug.
Under the proposals brought by the Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s ruling three-party coalition, cultivating up to three plants for private consumption and owning up to 25 grams of cannabis would be legalised.
Larger-scale, but still non-commercial cannabis production, will be allowed for members of so-called cannabis clubs, which could have no more than 500 members, all of whom would have to be adults. Only club members would be allowed to consume their output.
“The aim is to crack down on the black market and drugs-related crime, reduce the amount of dealing and cut the number of users,” said Health Minister Karl Lauterbach.
The move would make Germany the ninth country to legalise recreational use of the drug. It is also legal in some jurisdictions in the United States and Australia.
