Traffic - Federal Council approves cannabis limit for driving
For drivers, new regulations and fines are coming for Cannabis at the wheel. The Bundesrat allowed a law passed by the Bundestag to pass, which sets a limit of 3.5 nanograms per milliliter of blood for the intoxicating substance THC - similar to the 0.5-promille limit for alcohol. For beginner drivers and mixed consumption of Cannabis and alcohol, stricter rules are coming. These new regulations are expected to take effect according to the following legislative decree, so they should be in effect presumably still in the summer.
Since smoking and private Cannabis cultivation for adults have been legal with many conditions since April 1st, accompanying traffic regulations are now following. Previously, a strict line was taken, and consequences followed if THC was detected. A value of 1 nanogram has been established in case law. However, experts spoke at the Traffic Court in 2022 in favor of a "reasonable" increase. This is too low, they argued, as many would be sanctioned whose driving ability could not be attributed to this.
In the future, according to the law: Anyone who intentionally or negligently has 3.5 nanograms or more of THC on the way is, in general, at risk of a fine of 500 Euro and a one-month driving ban. If alcohol is also consumed, the fine is generally 1000 Euro. For beginner drivers, it will be like with alcohol: In the two-year probationary period and for those under 21 years of age, a Cannabis ban applies - the limit of 3.5 nanograms therefore does not apply. For violations, the fine is generally 250 Euro.
- The Federal Council in Germany has endorsed the new regulations passed by the Bundestag, which will affect drivers using cannabis, following its legalization for adults.
- These new regulations, expected to be implemented this summer, will see fines of up to 1000 Euro for drivers with THC levels above 3.5 nanograms per milliliter, if alcohol is also consumed.
- The limit of 3.5 nanograms per milliliter for THC in blood is similar to the 0.5-promille limit for alcohol, and stricter rules apply for beginner drivers who consume cannabis.
- The approval of these regulations in Berlin marks a significant shift in drug policies, as Germany joins other countries in setting guidelines for cannabis use while driving to promote public health and safety on the roads.
- The new legislative decree aims to strike a balance between freedom of use and responsible behavior, with fines and driving bans serving as deterrents for those who jeopardize their safety and that of others while under the influence of cannabis or cannabis and alcohol.
