Germany has been making headlines recently due to the news that cannabis legalization is on the horizon. This exciting development comes from an update by German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, who announced plans for cannabis legalization this spring. With this announcement, Germany will join other countries in Europe and around the world in taking steps towards reforming their cannabis policies.
Currently, possession and consumption of cannabis in Germany is illegal. However, there are exceptions for medical use and possession of small amounts for personal use is not prosecuted. In 2021 roughly 8.8% of Germany’s population reportedly having consumed cannabis at least once during the one-year timeframe.
This demonstrates the high demand for cannabis in Germany and the potential economic benefits that could come with legalization.
Germany has been slowly making progress towards cannabis legalization over the past few years. In 2017, a law was passed allowing for the use of medical cannabis for seriously ill patients with a prescription from a doctor. This was followed by a ruling in 2020 by Germany’s Federal Court which declared that adults have the right to grow and possess small amounts of cannabis for personal use.
However, the most significant step towards legalization came in 2021 when the ruling coalition of Germany’s two largest political parties included the reform of cannabis laws in their agreement. This signaled a shift in the country’s attitude towards cannabis and set the stage for further legislative action.
In 2023 cannabis legislation in Germany really ramped up, but was eventually delayed several time due to political opposition, and the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Germany’s national parliament member Carmen Wegge announced that a final reading on the proposed marijuana legalization legislation would take place in December 2023. which was also tabled until 2024, which is where the most recent update from German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach comes into play:
“I am continuing to assume that the Cannabis Act will be passed by the Bundestag in the week between February 19 and 23 and will go into force from April 1,” Lauterbach told the Sunday edition of Die Welt daily newspaper, adding that talks on the legislation were going well.
What the Law Will Include
The cannabis legalization bill currently being considered by the German government will include provisions for possession and cultivation limits. Individuals over 18 years old will be allowed to possess up to 25 grams of dried cannabis or grow up to 3 plants at home.
Additionally, social clubs for collective cultivation will be allowed starting July 1st in selected districts and cities, which are to be named so-called model regions for a period of five years.
The bill also includes exclusion zones for consumption, where cannabis use will not be permitted within a distance of 100 meters in certain public areas such as schools and youth centers. Which has been a large talking point for opposition of cannabis legislation in Germany. Health Minister Lauterbach told Die Welt: “We do not want cannabis smoked in front of schools or daycare centers, and for this we have defined a distance of 100 meters as a prohibition zone. I see that as a reasonable decision.”
The timeline for voting on the proposed cannabis legalization legislation is scheduled for the week of February 19-23. If passed, the bill will go into effect on April 1st.
However, there are potential roadblocks that could delay or potentially derail the final adoption of the bill. Opposition parties and conservative members of parliament have expressed concerns about certain aspects of the legislation, such as the exclusion zones and social clubs. There is also opposition from some members of the medical community who believe that legalizing cannabis could have negative health consequences.
The southern state of Bavaria, governed by the conservative Christian Social Union, has repeatedly called for the liberalization to be blocked.
In September 2023, members of the Bundesrat attempted to hinder the proposed reform but ultimately failed.
The vote that is scheduled for February will most likely be met with opposition, but the support is there and if the vote falls through again, Germany might have to wait until 2025 for another shot.
Impact of Legalization on Germany and Europe
The legalization of cannabis in Germany could have significant economic benefits for the country. It is estimated that the just the German medical cannabis market could be worth €7 billion by 2028, according to a report by Prohibition Partners. This could create jobs, increase tax revenue, and stimulate economic growth.
Germany would also join a growing number of European countries that have legalized cannabis in some form. Countries such as the Netherlands, Spain, and Portugal have all decriminalized or legalized cannabis for personal use. In fact, Germany is already one of the largest consumers of cannabis in Europe despite its strict laws against it.
The legalization of cannabis in Germany could also open up opportunities for international trade and export. Cannabis companies from countries like Canada and some states in the United States, where cannabis is legal for recreational use, could potentially expand their business to Germany and other European markets.
Additionally, the European Union may also become more open to the idea of legalizing cannabis if a major country like Germany takes this step. This could lead to further liberalization of cannabis laws across Europe, creating a larger market for international trade and export opportunities.
In a recent statement to Ganjapreneur, Alex Rogers, Founder/CEO of the International Cannabis Business Conference set to be hosted in Berlin this April, said that “leaders in several other European nations have indicated that once Germany legalizes it, they will proceed with similar policy modernization efforts in their respective countries.”
Overall, the update on a potential vote for cannabis legalization in Germany is a long-awaited and welcome development. After a year of delays, it seems that the time has finally come for this bill to be voted on. However, with potential roadblocks and opposition still present, there is no guarantee that it will pass.
If the bill does pass, it could have significant economic benefits for Germany and potentially open up opportunities for international trade and export. It could also pave the way for other European countries to follow suit and legalize cannabis, creating a larger market and potential for further growth.
It is clear that there is growing support for cannabis legalization in Europe, and Germany’s decision could have a ripple effect on the rest of the continent. Let’s hope that the vote in February is successful and Germany takes a step towards more progressive cannabis laws. So, let’s keep our fingers crossed for this spring to be the start of a new era for cannabis in Europe.
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