Only smoke weed with the package insert
Cannabis clubs must abide by strict rules
5/8/2023 7:57 am
The legalization of cannabis in Germany is coming. However, the weed is not available in dim stoner cellars, but in registered cultivation associations, so-called cannabis clubs. Strict rules should apply there, as a first draft law shows.
Anyone who wants to found a so-called cannabis club in the course of cannabis legalization in Germany has to be prepared for strict rules. According to an early version of Health Minister Karl Lauterbach’s cannabis bill, which has not yet been approved within the government, the clubs are intended to be purely “growing associations”. Within the clubs and within a radius of 250 meters, no cannabis should be consumed. Cultivation, delivery, club membership and organization of the premises should also be strictly regulated.
Since the draft is still being voted on within the government, a number of things can still change. As usual, there are likely to be changes in later deliberations in the Bundestag. Initially, the plans look like this:
- Cannabis club premises and properties where the drug is stored and grown must be fenced and secured, such as with burglar-proof doors and windows. Greenhouses need a privacy screen. The federal states can set minimum distances between clubs and schools, playgrounds, sports facilities, daycare centers and other facilities.
- Every cannabis association should draw up a health and youth protection concept and appoint an addiction and prevention officer who must be trained and attend regular refresher training courses. Board members of the club who are entered in the register of associations must present a certificate of good conduct.
- Clubs must ensure that residue limits for pesticides or fertilizers are met. They should keep a record of where they get seeds from, how many plants they grow and seeds they store, and how much cannabis they gave to which members.
- Every year, the clubs are to report to the authorities how much cannabis with what active ingredient content (THC and CBD) was produced, sold or destroyed in the past year and what the current stock is.
- Cannabis may only be distributed to members, a maximum of 50 grams per month and only in “neutral packaging or unpackaged”, so that there are no “consumption incentives” for young people. A leaflet with weight, harvest date, best before date, variety and active ingredient content (THC and CBD) in percent should be mandatory.
The draft law, which has not yet been voted on, also contains regulations for consumption in public: Even if cannabis is to be legalized in principle, smoking weed within a radius of 250 meters from schools, daycare centers, playgrounds, youth facilities or sports facilities is prohibited. Consumption should also not be permitted in pedestrian zones between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Under 18, the drug remains taboo. The draft provides that youth welfare offices can order participation in “early intervention programs” in the event of violations. Young people are also not allowed to enter cannabis clubs. If you are over 18 and under 21 and a member, you can only get cannabis with a maximum active substance content (THC) of ten percent and a maximum of 30 grams per month.
A maximum of three plants for personal use
It was already known that the number of club members was to be limited to 500 each and that no one was allowed to be a member of more than one such club. The draft law also maintains that the possession of up to 25 grams of cannabis and the cultivation of a maximum of three plants for personal use should be permitted.
Free sale in dedicated stores, as originally intended, is off the table for now. It is planned to test this later as a pilot project in some municipalities via another law.
Lauterbach submitted his draft for internal coordination with the other ministries at the end of April. As soon as this is completed, the associations dealing with the topic are usually informed and consulted. This is followed by a decision by the federal cabinet and the project can go to the Bundestag for deliberation. According to the plans, the Federal Council does not have to agree. The pro-cannabis representatives in the traffic light coalition hope that legalization will be implemented this year.