Bavaria bans cannabis during Oktoberfest, despite its legalization

Bavaria, a region in southern Germany, wants to limit consumption in public spaces as much as possible in order to protect the health of children. Since April 1, Germany has become the largest country in the European Union to legalize cannabis.

As soon as the law came into force, the Bavarian government began to work on how to restrict it, taking advantage of German federalism which offers a certain freedom in the application of the laws. It must be said that this legalization did not please the minister-president of the region, the very conservative Markus Söder.

Several bans have therefore been decreed: on the terraces of restaurants and cafes, in certain parks and gardens and during popular festivals. Oktoberfest, the famous Munich beer festival, which brings together five to six million visitors each year, will therefore be a cannabis-free zone this fall.

The president of the region assures that these bans are taken to “better protect children and young people”. He also provided for a fine of 1,000 euros for anyone caught with a joint in the presence of a minor. Other regions, such as North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse, could follow in the footsteps of Bavaria and in turn decree bans.