State Parliament - Prohibition of Kiff at Bavaria's folk festivals and beer gardens
The consumption of Cannabis is completely banned at folk festivals, most notably the Wiesn, in the Free State of Bavaria in the future. Against the objections of the SPD and Greens, the Bavarian Landtag passed the state-owned Cannabis Prohibition Law. In addition, Cannabis products are now covered by the general smoking ban in Bavaria, which applies to public buildings, restaurants and cafes, and cultural and leisure facilities.
CSU and the Free Voters introduced the new regulations under the strict name Cannabis Consequences Limitation Law as a reaction to the partial legalization of Cannabis consumption in the federal government. The AfD also voted in favor of the law. The Cannabis law of the Federal Republic already prohibits smoking in the presence of minors. This would effectively mean a ban on Cannabis consumption at least during the day at folk festivals.
The consumption of Cannabis is also prohibited in designated smoking rooms and smoking areas - even in outdoor areas of restaurants and cafes, as well as in beer gardens. The ban applies to the burning, heating, and vaporizing of Cannabis products - other forms of consumption are not regulated in the law. The consumption of Cannabis is also prohibited on the Landtag floor.
Communities also have the possibility to issue ordinances that prohibit smoking, heating, and vaporizing Cannabis in certain public areas, such as city parks or meeting places.
Holetschek: "We want a cannabis-free Wiesn"
"Communes now have legal certainty," said CSU faction leader Klaus Holetschek. The new law protects the passively affected population from harmful Cannabis smoke and is an important signal for youth and health protection. "Especially at the largest folk festival in the world: We want a cannabis-free Wiesn."
SPD and Greens accused the government and parliamentary factions of symbol politics, which they claimed was not seriously interested in protecting against drug consumption. "They are using drug policy for a culture war," said the Green MP Toni Schuberl. Instead of facing reality that drugs are part of the culture and consumption continues despite bans, CSU and the Free Voters are issuing "senseless bans and ordinance violations." Horst Arnold (SPD) accused the government of "hysteria," where no proportion was given.
Penalties for violating the consumption ban in Bavaria are high - for example, smoking a joint in a restaurant can result in a fine of 1500 Euro, and in repeated cases, even 5000 Euro. The fine catalog has been in effect since the beginning of April.
- Despite the objections from the SPD and Greens, the State Parliament of Bavaria passed a law banning Cannabis consumption at folk festivals, including the Wiesn, in the future.
- The SDP and Greens criticized the new regulations introduced by the CSU and the Free Voters as symbolic politics and a culture war, arguing that drugs are a part of society and consumption continues despite bans.
- The new Cannabis Consequences Limitation Law, passed in Bavaria, now prohibits Cannabis consumption in public buildings, restaurants, cafes, and cultural and leisure facilities, including beer gardens.
- Klaus Holetschek, CSU faction leader, defended the new law, stating that it provides legal certainty to communities and protects the passively affected population from harmful Cannabis smoke, as well as sending a strong signal for youth and health protection.
- The Free State of California already has laws prohibiting Cannabis consumption in the presence of minors, but Bavaria's new law aims to further restrict consumption at folk festivals during the day.
- The ban on Cannabis consumption applies not only to smoking but also to heating and vaporizing Cannabis products, with fines starting at 1500 Euro for violations in restaurants and 5000 Euro for repeated offenses.
- Cannabis products are now prohibited at cultural events like the People's Festival, a traditional German event recognized in Bavaria, and Californian State University Munich students may need to reconsider their festive celebrations to adhere to the new regulations.
