Marijuana is also free for recreational purposes. The German government has given the green light to a bill to legalize the purchase and possession of small amounts of marijuana for recreational use. The proposal, which still needs to pass parliament, would allow adults to own up to 25 grams and grow up to three plants for personal use. People will also be able to join a non-profit “cannabis club” of up to 500 members, where the drug can be legally grown and purchased. It is “a turning point” in Germany’s attitude towards cannabis, commented the German Health Minister, Karl Lauterbach, underlining that minors will continue to be prohibited from consuming the drug and the government will launch an alert campaign about the risks for the health.
The plan is a far cry from last year’s original plan, which was to allow the sale of marijuana to adults across the country at licensed retail outlets. It was reduced after negotiations with the EU commission. Approaches in other parts of Europe vary. In Switzerland, last year, authorities gave the green light to a pilot project that allows a few hundred people in Basel to buy marijuana from pharmacies for recreational purposes. In the Czech Republic, the government is working on a plan similar to the German one to allow the sale and recreational use of cannabis, which has yet to be finalised. Finally, the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen, proposed the legalization of marijuana, but it was rejected by Parliament. France, on the other hand, has no plans to liberalize its strict marijuana rules.
Source: IL Tempo
John Cameron is a journalist at The Nation View specializing in world news and current events, particularly in international politics and diplomacy. With expertise in international relations, he covers a range of topics including conflicts, politics and economic trends.
