Germany legalizes cannabis for recreational use under conditions

Germany becomes the third European country to legalize cannabis: from April 1, it becomes possible to buy, consume and cultivate it, with certain restrictions.

The quantities of cannabis authorized in Germany from April 1 are limited, but not negligible: 25 grams per adult, twice a month maximum, 30 grams per month for people between 18 and 21 years old. Germans will also be able to walk in the street with a small bag in their pocket without fear of police checks.

Cannabis will not be purchased anywhere, only in non-profit associations to which it will be necessary to register and which will remain under the supervision of the public authorities. Commercial sales remain prohibited.

On the other hand, cultivation at home will also be authorized from July 1, but no more than three plants per person and only for personal use. There is also no question of consuming cannabis less than 100 meters from schools, playgrounds or pedestrian areas during the day. The list of restrictions is long, and despite everything, this law, a promise of the government of Olaf Sholz, adopted on February 23 after intense debates, remains one of the most liberal in Europe, where for the moment, only Malta and Luxembourg have also legalized cannabis.

Strasbourg ready to follow the example

Will the French and Europeans be able to benefit from it? The answer is no, unless you have been living in Germany for more than six months. Foreign students and tourists, move on! If checked, you risk a fine and even prison, up to five years, for illegal possession of drugs or illegal importation of narcotics.

If reactions in France are a little mixed, the German example gives ideas to some since the city of Strasbourg says it is in favor of a local experiment. However, France is on a very strict line, as evidenced by the operations “XXL net square” of the Minister of the Interior against hard drugs which are flooding the black market.

However, those who campaign for the legalization of cannabis precisely defend that the measure makes it possible to eliminate the black market, in addition to better controlling the quality of the products. This is exactly what the German Minister of Health professes.

The positive example of Canada

Berlin relies heavily on feedback from Canada, which has been practicing legalization, very supervised, since 2018. Results: 70% of buyers are now turning to the legal market and, while there are many more fans of cannabis among those over 25, no one has seen it land “hordes of stoned teenagers” promised in these terms by opponents of the project. Among the youngest, consumption remained stable.

Germany, very concerned about prevention, will set up a major awareness campaign. It will take stock in October 2025, with a parliamentary report particularly focused on the health of young people.