Cannabis legalization
That will change from April 2024
With the new cannabis law, cannabis could be commercialized in Germany.
© Canna Obscura/Shutterstock
From April 2024, the possession and consumption of cannabis for adults will be permitted by law in Germany – but with restrictions.
It was discussed for a long time, briefly it seemed to tip over again, now the time has come: from April 1, 2024, adults are allowed in Germany Legally consume and possess cannabis. But there are limitations. The most important things at a glance.
The new cannabis law from April 2024
Due to the increasing consumption of cannabis in Germany, the federal government has initiated a revision of drug policy, says the website of the Federal Ministry of Health. The law, which will now come into force from April 1, 2024, is based on the two-pillar key points paper by Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, 61, and Federal Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir, 58.
This stipulates that adults are allowed to grow cannabis privately for their own use and that commercial supply chains are established in Germany. The aim is to contain the illegal cannabis market, control quality and strengthen education and prevention. The focus is on protecting children and young people.
Who is allowed to consume weed?
Anyone who wants to consume grass in Germany from April 2024 must first be 18 years old. Adults are allowed to carry up to 25 grams of dried cannabis in public and store up to 50 grams at home, The federal government also provides information about this on its official website. The possession and consumption of cannabis remains prohibited for minors.
Where do you get cannabis?
There will be no shops selling cannabis. Instead, you have to become a member of a so-called Cannabis Social Club (CSC), each with up to 500 members, where you can legally buy the weed. These clubs are allowed to grow cannabis and provide it to their members for free. The cultivation is financed through membership fees, but you are not allowed to start cultivation until July 1st at the earliest.
Even people who only use cannabis occasionally must join a cannabis club to obtain weed legally. Cannabis may not be purchased from already registered members. Passing on and selling to young people and adults is prohibited.
For young adults between 18 and 21 years of age with a membership, the delivery quantity is also limited to 30 grams, with a maximum THC content of ten percent.
How much can you grow yourself?
If membership in a CSC is too expensive for you, you can grow your own. Adults are allowed to grow a maximum of three plants. Even in households with several people, each adult person is allowed to have three plants. However, anyone who has children in the house must protect the plants by taking appropriate measures, for example in lockable cupboards or rooms.
Seeds or cuttings can be purchased at a cannabis club, which does not require membership. However, from July 2024, initially seven seeds per month.
But be careful: no cannabis plants may be grown in the allotment garden. Trading also remains a criminal offense.
Can it be consumed anywhere?
Consuming weed is not permitted everywhere, for example in the presence of young people. Cannabis may also not be consumed in pedestrian zones between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. It is also prohibited near schools, children’s playgrounds, children’s and youth facilities or sports facilities.
Drivers should also be careful when consuming cannabis. In road traffic, the limit value is still 1.0 nanograms of the active ingredient THC in cannabis per milliliter of blood serum. Anyone who has more in their blood is committing a misdemeanor.
What about (previous) crimes?
Anyone who possesses more than 60 grams is committing a crime, despite the cannabis law, which can be punished with high fines or even imprisonment. The import of cannabis across the border is still prohibited by law.
In other respects, however, the new law is already bringing about changes in criminal records: sentences that have not yet been fully served or paid will be repealed. Provided that they are no longer punishable under the new law.