Germany to Legalize Recreational Cannabis Use

BERLIN– Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s administration announced intentions to legalize cannabis on Wednesday, making Germany one of the first nations in Europe to do so.

A foundational document on proposed legislation to oversee the restricted distribution and consumption of cannabis for recreational purposes among adults was submitted by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach.

Additionally legalized would be the purchase and possession of 20 to 30 grams of recreational cannabis for individual use.

During its four years in office, the coalition government has committed to introducing legislation to permit the controlled distribution of cannabis in authorized stores.

Lauterbach omitted to provide a timetable for the scheme.

Since 2017, various nations in the region, including Germany, have legalized cannabis for specific medical applications. Others have reduced the penalties for using it in general but have not legalized it.

The government will also create cannabis-related education and abuse prevention programs, as well as a specific consumption tax.

According to a survey conducted last year, legalizing cannabis might generate 27,000 new employment, as well as annual tax revenues and cost savings of around 4.7 billion euros ($4.7 billion) for Germany.