Germany has taken a significant step in drug policy reform, as the German parliament has approved a new law allowing the recreational use of cannabis. The move aims to address rising concerns, curb the black market, and provide a safer environment for cannabis users. Under the new law, individuals over the age of 18 will be permitted to possess substantial amounts of cannabis, but strict regulations will make purchasing the drug a challenging endeavour.
#Germany #CannabisLaw #GermanyCannabisLaw #Cannabis #GermanyCannabisReform #CannabisRegulations
~HT.178~PR.151~ED.194~GR.124~
#Germany #CannabisLaw #GermanyCannabisLaw #Cannabis #GermanyCannabisReform #CannabisRegulations
~HT.178~PR.151~ED.194~GR.124~
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00 Germany has taken a significant step in drug policy reform as the German parliament has
00:06 approved a new law allowing the recreational use of cannabis.
00:10 The move aims to address rising concerns, curb the black market and provide a safer
00:15 environment for cannabis users.
00:18 Under the new law, individuals over the age of 18 will be permitted to possess substantial
00:23 amounts of cannabis but strict regulations will make purchasing the drug a challenging
00:27 endeavour.
00:28 Starting April 1, smoking cannabis in many public spaces will become legal.
00:34 The possession limit in public spaces is set at 25 grams, equivalent to dozens of strong
00:39 joints, while in private homes the legal limit will be 50 grams.
00:44 Germany's health minister, Karl Lauterbach, said, "The current situation is no longer
00:49 tenable.
00:50 The number of cannabis consumers aged between 18 and 25 has doubled in the past 10 years.
00:55 We aim to undermine the black market, protect users from contaminated cannabis and cut revenue
01:00 streams for organized crime gangs."
01:03 Opposition Conservative Simon Borchardt asserted, "The government has gone ahead with its
01:09 completely unnecessary, confused law, regardless of warnings from doctors, police and psychotherapists."
01:16 The debate on decriminalizing cannabis has been ongoing for years, with concerns from
01:21 doctors' groups and conservatives fearing that liberalization may fuel drug use.
01:27 The approved law, while complex, includes restrictions on smoking cannabis near schools
01:31 and sports grounds.
01:33 Buying the drug will not be easy, as original plans for licensed shops and pharmacies have
01:38 been scrapped over concerns from the European Union about potential drug exports.
01:43 Instead, non-commercial members' clubs, known as cannabis social clubs, will grow
01:48 and distribute a limited amount of the drug.
01:51 Each club will have a membership cap of 500 and consumption on site will not be permitted.
01:57 Membership will be exclusive to German residents.
01:59 Interestingly, individuals will also be allowed to grow their own cannabis, with up to three
02:04 Marijuana plants permitted per household.
02:07 This move raises the question of Germany allowing possession of large amounts while making legal
02:12 purchases challenging.
02:14 Critics argue that this approach may fuel the black market, leaving occasional users
02:18 struggling to buy legally and excluding tourists from legal cannabis access.
02:23 Over the next few years, the German government aims to assess the impact of this new law
02:28 and potentially introduce licensed cannabis sales.
02:31 However, given the complexity of the debate so far, nothing is certain.
02:35 Opposition conservatives claim that if they come into power next year, they will scrap
02:39 the law entirely.
02:41 Germany is unlikely to become Europe's new Amsterdam anytime soon.
02:59 [BLANK_AUDIO]