Legislation allowing the personal possession and home cultivation of marijuana cleared its final parliamentary hurdle on Friday and will officially take effect next week.
Members of German Parliament’s upper house and lower chamber have both given approval to legislation legalizing recreational marijuana for residents who are at least a18 years old. The law allows for the possession of up to 25 grams of marijuana in public, while also allowing adults to grow up to three plants for personal use. The law takes effect on April 1.
As part of the new law, not-for-profit cannabis clubs will be allowed to grow and sell cannabis for their members beginning on July 1st. Each club will be authorized to have up to 500 members. Members can pay for marijuana and marijuana products, but the clubs can only charge enough to break even and not turn a profit.
Commercial marijuana production and retail sales remain prohibited. Giving marijuana to a minor will be punishable by up to two years in jail.
The law allows those 18+ to possess up to 25 grams in public, or up to 50 grams it a personal residence. Public consumption will be allowed if not within sight of children or near sports facilities. Smoking in pedestrian zones between 7 AM and 8 PM will also be prohibited.
Germany legalized medical marijuana in 2017.
