German law now authorizes consumers to cultivate cannabis plants or to obtain them by joining associations.
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The location has already been found: a plot of 150 square meters on the outskirts of Berlin, far from prying eyes. This is where Oliver Waack-Jürgensen will grow his cannabis plants. In Germany, it is D-day for the legalization of cannabis. A promise from the government, this law authorizes consumers to grow three cannabis plants at home or to obtain 50 grams each month by adhering to “cannabis club”. These associations will officially open their doors in three months but they are starting to organize themselves, between searching for areas to plant cannabis and recruiting members.
Oliver Waack-Jürgensen, around sixty years old, is the president of one of these “clubs”, the High Ground in Berlin: “Since the law was passed, I have received membership requests every day. There are all profiles from 23 to 82 years old. Unemployed people, engineers, doctors, teachers, retirees… We will offer the gram of weed between three and ten euros depending on the variety and the method of production. It’s half as expensive as on the black market.”
“No need to hide anymore”
120 people have already joined the club which will be able to accommodate a maximum of 500 members. Among the new members, this 34-year-old Berliner, a regular cannabis user who campaigned for legalization, does not hide his satisfaction: “It’s a relief! No more hiding. We can now go out, smoke a joint, enjoy with friends… It will save money and at least I am sure of the quality of what I consume“, he emphasizes.
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Securing consumption is also the objective of the new law, explains Steffen Geyer, president of the Association of Cannabis Clubs: “Often on the black market, cannabis is contaminated with diluents and unknown chemicals. We will be able to reduce it by a third in the next two or three years.”
“Every gram that grows on the balcony of the house or that is cultivated in cannabis clubs is one gram less that will be sold on the black market.”
Steffen Geyerat franceinfo
Zina, the nurse in charge of prevention at the Berlin cannabis club, is also delighted to see the share of the black market decreasing. She is surprised that legalization is so divisive: one in two Germans is opposed to it. “Among all legal drugs (alcohol, nicotine, weed), it is the most harmlessshe defends.. While every year we have Oktoberfest with overloaded emergency services, sexual assaults and outbreaks of violence… Because people can’t control themselves under the influence of alcohol! But the people who are vehemently against legalization, we won’t convince them.”
According to the Ministry of Health, 9 % of the adult population regularly uses cannabis, i.e. 4 and a half million people.