Cannabis: legal possession limit for home cultivation is doubled
According to the Green Party, the future rules for the possession and consumption of cannabis will be less strict than previously planned. According to Green Party health politician Kirsten Kappert-Gonther, the amount of dried cannabis allowed for home cultivation will be doubled from 25 to 50 grams. The taboo zone for cannabis consumption around daycare centers, playgrounds and schools will be reduced from 200 to 100 meters.
"In the negotiations, we have succeeded in finding practicable regulations that guarantee the protection of young people and health and make the decriminalization of adult users a reality," said Kappert-Gonther in Berlin. Those who want alternatives to the black market should not set the bureaucratic hurdles too high.
Planned penalties will also be eased
According to her, the planned penal provisions will also be toned down so that there is no immediate threat of criminal prosecution if the possession limits are slightly exceeded. Originally, criminal liability was planned for quantities of more than 25 grams. Now, quantities between 25 and 30 grams of cannabis in public areas and between 50 and 60 grams in private areas are to be treated as an administrative offense. Possession will only become a criminal offense above this amount.
The possible fines are also to be reduced from a maximum of 100,000 to a maximum of 30,000 euros for reasons of proportionality. Experts from the Federal Ministry of Transport are to propose a THC limit value for road traffic by the end of March. THC is the active ingredient in the cannabis plant that is mainly responsible for the intoxicating effect.
Legalization expected in spring
Cannabis legalization is a project from the coalition agreement of the traffic light coalition. The associated draft bill has been under discussion for some time. The traffic light coalition's original plan to offer cannabis for sale in licensed stores will not be implemented for the time being. As a first step, the drug is to be removed from the list of prohibited substances in the Narcotics Act.
Adults aged 18 and over will be allowed to possess a certain amount. A maximum of three plants may be grown privately. In cannabis clubs, club members would be allowed to grow the drug together and supply it to each other.
The plans were originally intended to come into force at the turn of the year. However, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) recently confirmed that this could no longer be achieved. The aim is now for the law to come into force in the spring.
In light of these developments, Karl Lauterbach, the Health Minister, has expressed his support for the easing of penalties associated with cannabis possession. He believes that minor excesses of the new possession limits should not lead to immediate criminal prosecution. Additionally, Karl Lauterbach anticipates that the legalization of cannabis, as outlined in the coalition agreement, will be implemented this spring, allowing adults to possess and cultivate a limited amount of cannabis at home, while cannabis clubs may also provide a space for communal cultivation and distribution among members.
Source: www.dpa.com
