After months of speculation around the specific details of Germany’s impending adult-use cannabis reforms, the provisional plans are now in the public domain.
The legislative outline for new cannabis laws had been circulated across government for discussion and feedback. Subsequently, said government documents were leaked on Wednesday 19th October to German media group, Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND).
With the most mature medical program in Europe, paired with a November 2021 agreement – between Germany’s three-party governing coalition – to establish a legal market for recreational cannabis, the realization of adult-use cannabis in the country has been regarded as a case of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’.
Across 2022, prominent figures within the German government, such as Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, Justice Minister Marco Buschmann and Finance Minister Christian Lindner, have not shied away from discussing progressive cannabis policies, keen to uphold the coalition’s policy promise.
What is Being Proposed within Germany’s Cannabis Reforms?
Under the draft proposal in the ‘cornerstone paper’, people aged 18 and older will be able to possess up to 20 grams of cannabis on their person, without fear of prosecution.
German residents will be permitted to grow at home as long as the cannabis is for personal use, with the proposal suggesting that people will be able to cultivate up to two plants.
There will be licensed retailers and pharmacies permitted to sell cannabis products in Germany. Said vendors will not be able to be situated near schools and youth facilities (with a minimum distance to be introduced with these laws). Additionally, and as expected, advertising of cannabis products will be prohibited.
Interestingly, the proposal outlines that demand must be met by domestic cultivation, rather than imports from other cannabis producing nations.
The legislative draft also contains stipulations pertaining to levels of THC in cannabis products, sold to consumers by licensed retailers.
Customers aged between 18-21 will be restricted to purchasing products with a THC limit up to 10%; however, those over 21 will have free reign to buy products that contain up to 15% THC.
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