An official from the German Ministry of Health has presented a draft bill that would legalize marijuana cultivation, possession and social clubs. This is part one of a two-part framework for reform.
Last month Health Minister Karl Lauterbach provided details on the legalization plan . On Friday, he handed the text of the legislation to cabinet officials for their consideration before finalizing and sending the bill to legislators.
“Promise kept. Lauterbach, in response to the news coverage of the latest development said: “Comments welcome.”
Versprechen Gehalten. Kommentare willkommen https://t.co/G0VpIgarBY
Prof. Karl Lauterbach 28 April 2023
Sources confirmed that RND, although the draft legislation has not been made public yet, the proposal would permit adults to possess and grow upto three plants for personal consumption. The draft legislation is not yet public, but sources confirmed to RND that the proposal would allow adults to possess up 25 grams of marijuana and grow three plants for personal use.
Lauterbach announced last month that adult buyers over 21 will be restricted to 50 grams per month through the clubs. Adults aged 18 to 21 can only purchase 30 grams in a given month.
The framework would limit the THC content. Specifics will be provided later. Advertising for associations and cannabis would also be banned.
The clubs would not allow on-site consumption, but they could give out up to five cuttings or seven seeds per member each month for their home cultivation.
German officials may have retreated from their original plans to create a national marijuana market. However, it is expected that a complementary second framework will be created to allow cannabis to be sold at retail outlets in selected jurisdictions, as part of a five-year pilot program.
Officials would specifically study the impact the shops have on the consumption trends and illicit market. Localities must opt-in to allow these stores to operate.
The German government will ask the European Union to sign off on the sales portion of the bill. The EU will not review the possession and home-grown language.
—
Marijuana Moment tracks more than 1,000 cannabis and psychedelics bills, as well as drug policy legislation in state legislatures. Patreon supporters who pledge at least $25/month gain access to our interactive charts, maps and hearing calendar.
Discover more about our marijuana bills tracker. Become a Patreon supporter to gain access.
—
Officials were working to update the framework to avoid any potential conflicts with international law. This timeline was originally set to end the first quarter 2023. However, it was extended due to “scheduling reasons”.
The majority of lawmakers who have pushed for the government to adopt sweeping cannabis legalization policy responded positively to last month’s announcement. However, some pointed out areas that they would like to improve.
Kristine Lutke, of the FDP for example, stated that the framework was “a great first step”, but it is “too restricting” in terms of THC limits and edibles. She also said that commercial sales should be allowed more widely across the country.
Kirsten Kappert Gonther, of the Green Party, also condemned the lack of a “clear commitment to edibles”, noting that “they contribute to harm reduction when compared to inhalation.”
Lauterbach, Germany’s health minister, stated in March that officials had received “very positive feedback” on the previous reform framework from the EU and were revising the plan prior to formally introducing the bill in the legislative.
The German Federal Cabinet approved an initial framework of a legalization initiative late last year. However, the government wished to receive the EU‘s approval to make sure that the reform would not violate their international obligations.
The framework is the result of months of discussions and reviews within the German government and its “traffic-light” coalition. Last summer officials began a series hearings to inform legislation that would end the prohibition of cannabis in Germany.
Last year, a group of German legislators, including Narcotics Drugs Commission Burkhard Blienert , visited California and visited cannabis businesses to help inform their approach to legalization.
The visit took place two months after the first meeting of its kind between top officials from Germany and Luxembourg, Malta, and the Netherlands to discuss plans and challenges related to recreational marijuana legalization.
In 2021, the leaders of the coalition government announced that they had agreed to end the cannabis prohibition as well as enacting regulations for a new legal industry. They first revealed certain details of this plan in 2013.
In a new international survey released last year , the majority of respondents in Germany and other key European countries supported legalization.
Report: States have generated over $15 billion in marijuana tax revenue since 2014, despite earnings declining last year
The article German Officials circulate draft bill for first part of Marijuana Legalization Plan among Cabinet Members originally appeared on Marijuana Moment.
