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CANNABIS SMOKERS ARE lighting up in Germany, as the country becomes the largest EU nation to legalise recreational use, despite fierce objections from opposition politicians and medical associations.
Under the first step in the much-debated new law, adults over 18 are now allowed to carry 25 grams of dried cannabis and cultivate up to three marijuana plants at home.
The changes leave Germany with some of the most liberal cannabis laws in Europe, alongside Malta and Luxembourg, which legalised recreational use in 2021 and 2023, respectively.
The Netherlands, known for its permissive attitude to the drug, has in recent years taken a stricter approach to counter cannabis tourism.
As the law took effect at midnight, some 1,500 people cheered in central Berlin by the Brandenburg Gate, according to police, with some lighting up joints in celebration.
The legalisation was “a bit of extra freedom”, 25-year-old Niyazi told AFP at the gathering. “You do not feel as under pressure now”.
Cannabis consumption has been brought out of the “taboo zone”, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said on X, formerly Twitter.
The new law was “better for real addiction help, prevention for children and young people and for combating the black market,” Lauterbach said, responding in part to criticisms levelled against legalisation.
As the next step in the legal reform, from 1 July it will be possible to legally obtain weed through “cannabis clubs” in the country.
These regulated associations will be allowed to have up to 500 members each, and will be able to distribute up to 50 grams of cannabis per person per month.
Until then, “consumers must not tell the police where they bought their cannabis” in the event of a street check, Georg Wurth, director of the German Cannabis Association, told AFP.
Initial plans for cannabis to be sold via licensed shops were ditched due to EU opposition, though a second law is in the pipeline to trial the sale of the drug in shops in pilot regions.
Medical groups have raised concerns that legalisation could lead to an increase in use among young people, who face the highest health risks.
Cannabis use among young people can affect the development of the central nervous system, leading to an increased risk of developing psychosis and schizophrenia, experts have warned.
“From our point of view, the law as it is written is a disaster,” Katja Seidel, a therapist at a cannabis addiction centre for young people in Berlin, told AFP.
Even Lauterbach, a doctor, has said that cannabis consumption can be “dangerous”, especially for young people.
But the government has promised a widespread information campaign to raise awareness of the risks and to boost support programmes.
It has also stressed that cannabis will remain banned for under-18s and within 100 metres of schools, kindergartens and playgrounds.
The law has likewise drawn criticism from police, who fear it will be difficult to enforce.
“From 1 April, our colleagues will find themselves in situations of conflict with citizens, as uncertainty reigns on both sides,” said Alexander Poitz, vice-president of the GdP police union.
Another potential issue is the implementation of a retroactive amnesty on cannabis-related offences, which could create an administrative headache for the legal system.
According to the German Judges’ Association, the pardon could apply to more than 200,000 cases that would need to be checked and processed.
Justice Minister Marco Buschmann said the rule change would mean a “one-off increase in workload” for law enforcement during the initial transition phase.
In the long-term however “the burden on the police and judiciary will be relieved”, Buschmann told the RND media group.
Conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz has said he would “immediately” repeal the law if he and his party formed a government following nationwide elections in 2025.
On the other side of the debate, Torsten Dietrich, the head of the Cannabis Social Club lobby group, told AFP the legalisation law “could go a lot further”.
The move did however mean the “decriminalisation of several million people in Germany who have been senselessly discriminated against”, Dietrich said at today’s rally.
Suspect a lot of free NHS tests will be gifted this Christmas!
@Theportobello: U have to book a test & pay for it & it has to be done professionally a family member coming for Christmas PCR £69 Antigen test £28 as she is fully vacinated plus her booster she can use the Antigen test so no free NHS tests kits
@Sheila McNulty: Advised to take an antigen test each day for 5 days – that’s what the article is about – not a professional test
@Sheila McNulty: what antigen tests costs £28?
@john smith iv: The official ones administered by a company which give you a cert to travel. Completed mine yesterday for £35.
Cheaper than a PCR. This article isn’t talking about them, just the standard tests you can pick up for free to do yourself…
@Sheila McNulty: Free walk in centres all over UK now.
Next thing they will be advising, is for passengers to pick up free covid tests before they leave the UK and use them here.
@Peter O Donnell: Why would the Irish government care where people procure their tests?
@Anne Busher Collins: Because unlike here, they are free in the UK. Sarcasm not your strong point Anne?
@Peter O Donnell: already doing it.. every passenger from the U.K. will be bringing boxes of LFTs home for Xmas cos this government is a joke! I have boxes ready to come home with me.
Hahahahahaha!
Hahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaa!
I’ll bring my box of free NHS Antigen tests home for Xmas so!
@Philip Pip Adams: Good man Philip yer Irish family will have a great xmas proper order. Why do you laugh like a hiyena though?
@Philip Pip Adams: ????.say hi to bojo
‘Advised’. More half measures
Why use them? I though they were “snake oil” according to Phillip Nolan… A member of NPHET and the main man in charge of modelling this virus. Somebody has to go here becuse we are going around and around and it’s only jobs that will be lost in aviation and travel. A sector that has already been hammered the last 2 years.
Maybe if they were free like the Uk people
Would use them.
Flights into Belfast will be a lot Busier now I’d say …
Advised!!
If anyone interested I’ve 10,000 antigen tests for sale. Good price. Won’t be beaten guaranteed.
@Paul Gorry: Moore Street hoor
What’s the point of an advisory notice, nobody will give a toss and ignore it. Make it a law or don’t bother Mehole.
So not only is this advice pointless it’s feckin useless. sreems about right.
“……… including the intention to continue to align with the overall European Union approach to travel, and the particular circumstances of the Common Travel Area.”
We cannot align with EU guidelines as long as we continue to have a CTA with a non EU country, with people coming and going without controls or, as in this case, taking tests on a voluntary basis.
We are the only country in Europe which allows free movement of people from a non-EU country.
Either we are in Europe and follow EU rules or we are not.
It’s embarrassing for a so-called independent country to have to automatically align with British decisions a few minutes after they are announced.
@Shedonny: Not the only EU country allowing free movement from a non EU country.
There is free travel between Switzerland and Austria/ Germany/ Italy/ France though Switzerland is part of Schengen.
Is there no omnicron outside ifhe UK or is it just the fact that travellers from UK can grab free antigen tests in pharmacies. This clown doesn’t inspire any confidence in government
I know it’s only advised but I do think most people will follow this
@Peter: Really? What planet are you living on ?
Pure con job
Who’s making these? I wanna invest in their stock
An instance of closing the stable door once the horse has bolted.
Should they not test for five days before coming here. And who will test themselves for five days when here.
Are truck drivers and flight crews and other essential transport workers exempt from these tests like before ?
@Dave Byrne: yes
Which antigen are really accurate? Got 2 antigens (centra) done, both positive. Pcr test next day – negative
“……… including the intention to continue to align with the overall European Union approach to travel, and the particular circumstances of the Common Travel Area.”
We cannot align with EU guidelines as long as we continue to have a CTA with a non EU country, with people coming and going without controls or, in this case, taking tests on a voluntary basis.
We are the only country in Europe which allows free movement of people from a non-EU country.
We must decide whether we are in Europe, and follow EU rules, or not.
In my opinion we should get rid of the CTA and join Schengen.
It’s embarrassing for a so-called independent country to have to automatically align with British decisions a few minutes after they are announced.
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