BERLIN – Under a legalization plan announced Wednesday by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, Germany will allow limited recreational cannabis use. German citizens will be able to grow up to three plants at home after obtaining permission.
The announcement followed months of talks with the European Commission about the plan's feasibility. Politicians, businesses and users had long awaited the outcome, watching how far the Commission would accommodate Germany's wishes.
Under the plan, expected to expand later, adults could grow no more than three plants at home and buy cannabis from nonprofit clubs of up to 500 members. Such clubs already exist in Spain and Malta.
Possession of up to 25 grams would also become legal. Advertising would be prohibited, a THC limit would apply to people under 21, and consumption would be restricted to designated areas.
Lauterbach said the legislation had two stages:
“Our first-stage aim is to ensure national laws do not violate EU law,” Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir said, adding that a draft legalization bill would be presented in April.
The second stage involves regional model projects establishing commercial supply chains, running for five years with continuous evaluation.
The long-awaited plan is expected to make Germany an example for other EU countries.
