Deadline April 1

Cannabis now legal for adults in Germany

Legalization was celebrated at midnight at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, and activists in many places invited people to smoke weed together on Easter Monday.(Bild: AFP)

Possession and consumption of cannabis has been legal for adults in Germany since Monday midnight, subject to conditions. The legalization was celebrated at midnight at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, and activists in many places invited people to smoke weed together on Easter Monday.

On April 1, the cannabis law came into force, which the coalition government had pushed through against great resistance from the opposition, the federal states and associations from the fields of medicine, justice and the police. 

"Real alternative to the black market"
German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach once again defended the move. "Today we are ending a failed prohibition policy," said the SPD politician. This is a historic opportunity. "From now on, we are combining a real alternative to the black market with better protection for children and young people. Things could not go on as before," the minister added.

As a first step, possession, private cultivation and consumption of certain quantities of cannabis will now be permitted for adults. From July, in a second step, so-called cultivation associations will be allowed to cultivate cannabis under state control and under strict conditions and supply it to their members. At the same time, the law provides for measures to prevent addiction.

When it comes into force, cannabis will disappear from the list of banned substances in the German Narcotics Act. People over the age of 18 are now allowed to carry up to 25 grams of the drug in public, while a maximum of 50 grams is permitted at home. It is also permitted to have up to three cannabis plants at home. It is permitted to smoke weed in public, but not in the vicinity of children and young people, schools, day-care centers, playgrounds and sports grounds and not in pedestrian zones during the day.

Violations can be punished with severe fines. The distribution of the drug - with the exception of within the framework of clubs - remains a punishable offense, especially if it is distributed to minors. Cannabis remains illegal for young people under 18.

Legalization was celebrated at midnight at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, and activists in many places invited people to smoke weed together on Easter Monday.(Bild: AFP)

(Bild: AFP)

In front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, several hundred people lit up joints right on time at midnight. Under a metre-high cannabis leaf, the legalization was celebrated in an exuberant atmosphere with reggae music (see video above).