The country now allows adults to possess up to 25 grams of marijuana

The law has also drawn criticism from police, who fear it will be difficult to enforce.

Berlin:

Germany on Monday became the largest EU country to legalize recreational marijuana, despite strong opposition from opposition politicians and medical associations.

Adults over the age of 18 can now carry 25 grams of dried cannabis and grow up to three cannabis plants at home, under the first step in controversial new laws.

The changes leave Germany with the most liberal cannabis laws in Europe, with Malta and Luxembourg legalizing recreational use in 2021 and 2023 respectively.

The Netherlands, known for its tolerant attitude towards drugs, has taken stricter measures to crack down on cannabis tourism in recent years.

As the law came into effect at midnight, hundreds of people cheered in front of Berlin’s iconic Brandenburg Gate, many lighting candles in what one very happy 25-year-old Niaz participant called “a little Extra freedom”.

As the next step in legal reform, cannabis will be legally available in the country through “cannabis clubs” from July 1.

These regulated associations can have up to 500 members each and can distribute up to 50 grams of cannabis per person per month.

Until then, “consumers were not allowed to tell police where they purchased cannabis during street checks,” Georg Wurth, president of the German Cannabis Association, told AFP.

‘disaster’

Initial plans to sell cannabis through licensed shops have been abandoned due to EU opposition, although a second law is in the works to trial selling cannabis in shops in pilot areas.

The German government, a tripartite coalition led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats, believes legalization will help curb the growth of the black market for the popular substance.

But health groups worry legalization could lead to an increase in use of the drug among young people who face the highest health risks.

Experts warn that cannabis use by young people can affect the development of the central nervous system, leading to an increased risk of psychosis and schizophrenia.

“From our point of view, the current law is a disaster,” Katja Seidel, a therapist at a youth cannabis addiction center in Berlin, told AFP.

Even Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, a doctor, said smoking cannabis could be “dangerous,” especially for young people.

The Government has committed to an extensive information campaign to raise awareness of the risks and strengthen support programmes.

It also stressed that cannabis use will remain prohibited for teenagers under 18 and within 100 meters of schools, kindergartens and playgrounds.

‘responsible’

The law has also drawn criticism from police, who fear it will be difficult to enforce.

“From April 1, our colleagues will find themselves in conflict situations with citizens because of uncertainty on both sides,” said Alexander Poitz, vice president of the GDP police union.

Another potential problem is that the law would retroactively declare amnesty for marijuana-related crimes, creating an administrative headache for the legal system.

According to the German Judges Association, pardons may apply to more than 200,000 cases that need to be examined and processed.

Conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz said he would repeal the law “immediately” if he and his party formed a government after national elections in 2025.

But Finance Minister Christian Lindner, from the Free Democrats, said legalization was a “responsible” move and better than “leading people into the black market”.

Lindner told public broadcaster ARD that the new law “will not lead to chaos”.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)