A few days after the first details about the planned legalization of cannabis in Germany became known, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach wants to present the key points to the Federal Cabinet this Wednesday. But what exactly are the general conditions and what do consumers have to consider?
According to a report, the Federal Cabinet will deal tomorrow with Health Minister Karl Lauterbach's cannabis key points. His plan to legalize cannabis possession has been coordinated within the federal government, the Düsseldorf "Rheinische Post" reported, citing the 19-page paper. According to this, the acquisition and possession of "up to a maximum amount of 20 to 30 grams of recreational cannabis" for personal consumption should be exempt from punishment in the future.
"The cornerstones make essential statements on the introduction of the controlled sale of cannabis to adults for recreational purposes agreed in the coalition agreement," quoted the newspaper from the cornerstones. "Extensive measures to improve health protection for consumers, child and youth protection, and information, advice, and prevention services are addressed." A state-controlled supply chain should ensure health protection and curb organized crime and the black market.
The social effects of the law are to be evaluated after four years. The plan is to allow the production, supply and distribution of cannabis "within a licensed and state-controlled framework". Self-cultivation for personal consumption should be permitted to a limited extent and remain unpunished. "Three female flowering plants per adult person" are mentioned. "When the planned new regulation comes into force, ongoing investigations and criminal proceedings for actions that are no longer punishable are to be ended," the newspaper continued quoting from the key points.
Cultivation and distribution of recreational cannabis should be subject to strict state control. The distribution may take place "with age control in licensed specialist shops and, if necessary, pharmacies". Advertising for cannabis products is prohibited. 18 should be set as the minimum age for sale and purchase. Because of the increased risk of cannabis-related brain damage in adolescence, it is being examined whether an upper limit for the intoxicating substance THC will be set for adults up to the age of 21, as the newspaper further reported. "The maximum THC value for industrial hemp, for example, should be set at 0.3 percent in accordance with EU law that will apply from January 1, 2023."
For minors, "the previously criminally protected behavior, in particular the cultivation, purchase and possession of recreational cannabis, should remain prohibited". Beyond the planned regulations, "adults and minors continue to be punishable, among other things, when trading and placing on the market without a license regardless of the quantity, as well as when acquiring, possessing and cultivating above the permitted quantities". The cornerstones provide for a penalty of up to three years imprisonment and a fine.
