A flagship – and controversial – program of Olaf Scholz’s coalition, the partial legalization of cannabis for recreational purposes comes into force on Monday in Germany. However, legal access to this substance is not so simple.

April 1st

This day, traditionally dedicated to pranks, marks the first stage of the reform: the possession of 25 grams of dried cannabis in public places is allowed for adults, as is the cultivation of the plant at home, up to three plants per adult and 50 grams of dried cannabis cannabis.

With the average dose estimated at 0.3 grams per cigarette, 25 grams allows the user to take about 80 puffs. But they cannot be smoked anywhere: their consumption is prohibited within a 100-meter radius around schools, kindergartens, stadiums and public sports facilities. Also, pedestrians are completely prohibited from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

“Cannabis Clubs”

One will have to wait a few months to be able to legally obtain this substance through “cannabis clubs”, associations of a non-profit nature that will be able to be created from July 1 after a complicated administrative process. They will be based in Germany under the responsibility of the regional authorities, while their number of members will be limited to 500. They will be able to distribute a maximum of 50 grams per month and per member. Adults under the age of 21 will be entitled to 30 grams of cannabis whose THC content, one of its main psychoactive molecules, must not exceed 10%. Participation in several associations at the same time is prohibited. Also, gatherings and consumption inside these “clubs” are not allowed.

No tourists

At this stage, cannabis will not be sold in Germany, so there will be no specialized stores – as was considered in a first version of the law – and no “coffee shops”. To have legal access, one must be a resident of the country for at least six months and cultivate it himself or through a club. This reduces the risk of an influx of “drug tourists”, which critics of the law, particularly the conservative CDU/CSU opposition parties, accuse. In a second stage, but without a timetable, the government plans to experiment with the sale of cannabis from pharmacies or shops licensed by the state in “pilot” regions that remain to be determined.

Amnesty

The aim of the government formed by the Social Democrats, the Greens and the Liberals – to frame the consumption of good quality cannabis to more effectively combat smuggling – has met with fierce opposition from the Conservatives, who have warned of the health risks of legalization as and for the de facto generalization of this narcotic.

Many also fear that there will be an excessive workload for the judiciary: because of the amnesty provided for cannabis-related offences, tens of thousands of court decisions have to be reviewed. Friedrich Merz, the head of the CDU who is currently leading the polls, has already warned that if his party is returned to power after the 2025 election, it will “immediately” repeal the law.