Cannabis in Germany
Medical Cannabis in Germany
On May 4, 2016, the German federal government approved legislation allowing the use of cannabis for seriously ill patients who have consulted with a physician and have "no other therapeutic alternative." German Health Minister Hermann Gröhe submitted a draft law on the legalization of medical cannabis to the government, which came into force on March 10, 2017. Licenses are issued by the "Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices" to companies for the production of medical cannabis.
Germany, which legalized medical cannabis in 2017, currently has an estimated 128,000 patients treated with cannabis. In the last year, more than 9,000 kilograms of cannabis were imported from countries such as Canada or the Netherlands for research purposes or for sale in German pharmacies for medical cannabis products.
Legalization of Marijuana in Germany - 2022
The obstacles the country faces regarding the legalization of recreational cannabis are numerous. The pandemic, the cost of living, and the Russian war in Ukraine are factors weighing on politicians pursuing cannabis legalization, such as the Social Democrats (SPD), the Greens, and the Free Democrats (FDP), a three-party coalition that came to power in late 2021, also known as the "Traffic Light Coalition". This group has decided that soon in Germany, not only consumption, but also the possession and sale of cannabis will be legal.
One of Germany's greatest challenges could be overcoming opposition from opponents of legalization. After the departure of former Chancellor Angela Merkel, the Traffic Light Coalition wants to bring fresh energy to the country. Merkel was Chancellor for 16 years, and her party, the Christian Democrats (CDU), was known for its more conservative views on cannabis.
In addition to international laws, Germany must also contend with EU regulations, and experts continue to debate whether the EU could halt German legalization plans.
Is CBD Legal in Germany?
Laws regarding CBD and cannabis in Germany are currently very specific. Under the still applicable Narcotics Act, cannabis is only considered a legal product if the
THC content does not exceed 0.2%. Such goods may also only be used for commercial or scientific purposes to prevent misuse.Germany has one of the strictest laws for driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. 1 ng of THC or more in blood serum usually leads to a driving ban of at least 1-3 months and a fine.
For driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the driver now pays a fine of 500 euros (previously 250 euros) for the first offense. For a second offense, a fine of 1000 euros (previously 500 euros) is threatened, and for a third, 1500 euros (previously 750 euros).
Police Attitude Towards Cannabis in Germany
The German police often take a relaxed and progressive attitude towards cannabis and recreational use. The Association of German Criminal Investigators (BDK) supports decriminalization. Andre Schulz from the BDK stated that the criminalization of cannabis users creates strong stigmatization that marginalizes users and can lead to crime.
Hanfparade
Hanfparade is a demonstration for the legalization of cannabis in Berlin. It has taken place annually since August 1997. The motto of the 26th Hanfparade in August was "Cannabis is for everyone".
Germany is preparing for a revolutionary change regarding the legalization of cannabis, its consumption, possession, and sale. If everything goes according to plan, the new law could be passed as early as early 2023. Germany could thus become the first state outside of the Americas to legalize it. This could be a major boost not only for Europe, but for the rest of the world!