As of: April 3, 2024, 5:04 a.m
By: Kilian Bäuml
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As of April 1st, cannabis is no longer on the list of banned substances. Legalization brings new rules that must be taken into account.
Frankfurt – From April 1st, the consumption of cannabis will be legal in Germany for people over 18. But despite legalization, questions still remain unanswered. The traffic light government decided the following:
Adults are allowed to store up to 50 grams of cannabis at home.
Adults are allowed to carry up to 25 grams of cannabis with them.
Up to three plants can be grown at home.
The plants, seeds and harvested cannabis must be stored in a child-safe manner.
The sale of cannabis is still not permitted.
This should be cannabis for personal use. Anyone who significantly exceeds the amount of cannabis must expect a fine of several thousand euros. However, no major cannabis controls are carried out. According to estimates, around 150 joints can be rolled from 50 grams - depending on the dosage. A single person can smoke up to three joints in a day - an amount that many criticize as too high, which is why there is still a need for discussion. For example, the German Medical Association writes that the amount “corresponds to high-risk consumption and leads to cannabis-related disorders”. Proponents, on the other hand, argue that the quantity must be so high in order to outcompete the illegal black market.
These rules apply to growing cannabis and consuming it in public
In the future, up to three cannabis plants can be legally grown at home for personal use. However, it should be noted that both the plants and their products must be stored in a child-proof manner, for example in lockable cupboards. Hardware stores and garden centers are currently not planning to include cannabis plants in their range.
From April 1st you can store up to 50 grams of cannabis at home. (Symbolic image) © Sebastian Gollnow/dpa
The same applies to the consumption of cannabis, which is prohibited in some places in public life. This is especially true in places where children are present. These include playgrounds, schools, sports facilities such as football stadiums and the like. Consumers should keep at least 100 meters away from such establishments. You should also not smoke weed on your own property in the presence of children. Smoking weed is also prohibited in pedestrian zones between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. The owners themselves decide whether smoking weed is allowed in smoking bars.
Cannabis behind the wheel: What is changing on German roads as a result of legalization
There is currently a THC limit of 1 nanogram per milliliter of blood in road traffic, and nothing will change on April 1st. However, there is a lot of criticism of the existing value because the THC can still be detected days after consumption and therefore does not necessarily say anything about your ability to drive. A commission of experts therefore suggested increasing the limit value for THC to 3.5 nanograms. Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) will be discussing the limit value together with experts this spring.
(kiba/dpa)