https://www.dw.com/en/germany-unveils-bill-to-legalize-cannabis/a-66545963 You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. 1. Skip to content 2. Skip to main menu 3. Skip to more DW sites * Latest videos * Latest audio Regions * Africa * Asia * Europe * Latin America * Middle East * North America * Germany Topics * Climate * Equality * Health * Human Rights * Migration * Technology Categories * Business * Science * Environment * Culture * Sports Live TV Latest audioLatest videos In focus Ukraine Women's World Cup Law and JusticeGermany Germany unveils bill to legalize cannabis Timothy Jones | Matthias von Hein 13 hours ago13 hours ago A draft bill that would legally allow people to use and grow cannabis is to be put before lawmakers for consideration. But there are many voices opposing the legalization of the drug for recreational purposes. https://p.dw.com/p/4VDdz Protesters at a pro-cannabis demonstrationGermany regularly sees demonstrations in favor of legalizing cannabisImage: TOBIAS SCHWARZ/ AFP/Getty Images Advertisement A controversial draft bill on legalizing the recreational use of the drug cannabis was unveiled on Wednesday by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach after it was approved by the German Cabinet. Advocates of legal cannabis use in Germany's coalition government aim to legalize the drug this year but they face resistance from conservative lawmakers, some physicians and law enforcement representatives. German Cabinet okays plan to liberalize cannabis rules To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video What did ministers say? Lauterbach called the draft bill a "turning point" following policies on cannabis that had "unfortunately failed." However, he stressed that use of the drug was not without risk. "No one should falsely understand the law. The consumption of cannabis will be legalized, but it remains dangerous," he said in a joint statement from the Health Ministry and the Agriculture Ministry. He said the aim was to curb the black market and drugs-related criminality, the trade with adulterated or toxic substances, and the number of consumers. "The protection of children and teenagers is a central element of the entire legislative project," the statement said, referring to a youth information campaign "Legal, but ..." that will be launched by the Health Ministry. Lauterbach: 'We want to fight the black market' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Agriculture Minister Cem Ozdemir called the draft legislation "a significant step toward a progressive, reality-based drugs policy." He said the "overdue" law would serve to decriminalize the many people who used cannabis solely for private purposes, as well as increasing the protection of children and young people. According to federal government figures, 4.5 million adults in Germany used cannabis at least once in the last year. What does the draft bill envisage? The draft law would make it legal for people over 18 to possess up to 25 grams (0.9 ounces) of cannabis and to cultivate up to three plants for personal use. There will also be approved so-called cultivation associations. Often referred to as "cannabis social clubs," they provide their members with home-grown cannabis products. Members will not be permitted to consume cannabis on the clubs' premises or within 200 meters of the location. The clubs themselves must not be within 200 meters of schools, daycare centers, or kindergartens -- which will make finding a suitable location quite a challenge. Decriminalization is the first step. In the next step, specialist shops are able to sell cannabis and products containing THC -- but only in selected districts and cities, which are to be named so-called model regions for a period of five years. Originally there were high expectations for tax revenues and for savings in police and judiciary expenditures. But the estimates have been corrected and are now put at several hundred thousand euros, rather than billions. The savings are offset by additional expenditure for the evaluation of the law as well as information and prevention offers. The draft bill makes it legal to grow up to three cannabis plants Image: Ivan Stajkovic/Zoonar/picture alliance Opposition to the bill from all sides Physicians have criticized the proposals: In a joint statement, five associations of physicians for children and young people warned of "a threat to the mental health and development opportunities of young people in Germany." The police union is also opposed to the bill. And the German Association of Judges warned against extra work for the judiciary because of the many detailed regulations on the cannabis clubs and the delivery of drugs. Conservative lawmakers from several states have also come out against the proposed law. They complain that the project is "medically irresponsible" or demonize it as an "attack on youth and health protection". The interior minister of the eastern state of Saxony, Armin Schuster, of the opposition Christian Democrats (CDU), told the corporate newsroom Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland that "this law will bring with it a complete loss of control." "If there is something we don't need, then it is this law," the interior minister of the city-state of Hamburg, Andy Grote, from Lauterbach's center-left Social Democrats (SPD)told public broadcaster NDR. "Experiences from other countries show that legalization causes a big rise in consumption, with all its risks and side effects," he said. Grote also cast doubt on whether the legalization of recreational cannabis use would lead to a reduction in black market trading as is often claimed by advocates of the move. Cannabis is not as harmless as many think To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video "It is to be feared that illegal cannabis will be much in demand because of its higher potency and cheaper prices and that the black market and legal market will become mixed up together," he said. Grote also said the regulation of cannabis use would require "a comprehensive bureaucracy of cannabis surveillance" to ensure that all its stipulations are upheld. Even deputies from Lauterbach's coalition partner the neoliberal Free Democrats (FDP) who generally approve of cannabis legalization speak of a "bureaucratic monster." Proponents of legalization are also dissatisfied. They say the new regulations are too detailed and don't go far enough. Health Minister Lauterbach is unfazed. He considers the criticism from both sides to be a good sign and speaks of a "law with a sense of proportion". While you're here: Every Tuesday, DW editors round up what is happening in German politics and society. You can sign up here for the weekly email newsletter Berlin Briefing. Send us your feedback Your feedback Advertisement Skip next section Explore more Explore more A man is seen smoking a large joint during the Global Marijuana March. Hundreds of pro-cannabis activists demonstrate in Puerto del Sol, Madrid city center, to demand a law to legalize cannabis with a medicinal and recreational use.A man is seen smoking a large joint during the Global Marijuana March. Hundreds of pro-cannabis activists demonstrate in Puerto del Sol, Madrid city center, to demand a law to legalize cannabis with a medicinal and recreational use. Fact check: How dangerous is cannabis, really? Fact check: How dangerous is cannabis, really? Despite being legalized in a number of countries worldwide, cannabis is still shrouded in misinformation. In this DW fact check, we examine four of the biggest myths surrounding the drug. Science06/10/2023June 10, 2023 A young man smokes a joint during a protest in Berlin demanding decriminalization of marijuana.A young man smokes a joint during a protest in Berlin demanding decriminalization of marijuana. Does cannabis cause depression in teenagers? Does cannabis cause depression in teenagers? Increasing evidence is linking cannabis use in teens with depression, but whether one causes the other is still unclear. Science05/24/2023May 24, 2023 Skip next section Related topics Related topics Medical marijuana Skip next section DW's Top Story DW's Top Story A granary destroyed in a Russian drone attack at night is seen in a Danube portA granary destroyed in a Russian drone attack at night is seen in a Danube port Ukraine updates: Russian drones threaten key Danube ports Conflicts1 hour ago1 hour ago The Joseph Schulte cargo ship The Joseph Schulte cargo ship Ukraine: First cargo ship exits Odesa after Russia's threat Conflicts12 hours ago12 hours ago In this black and white screengrab taken from video, a drone maneuvers as it approaches the vessel claimed to be a Russian large landing shipIn this black and white screengrab taken from video, a drone maneuvers as it approaches the vessel claimed to be a Russian large landing ship The Black Sea: A new zone of conflict Conflicts14 hours ago14 hours ago02:47 min Page 1 of 2 Skip next section More stories from DW More stories from DW Africa Libyan security forces stand guard in Tripoli, Libya, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2023. Libyan security forces stand guard in Tripoli, Libya, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2023. Who are the Libyan militias fighting in Tripoli? Who are the Libyan militias fighting in Tripoli? Politics7 hours ago7 hours ago More from Africa Asia Students sit on floor at the Great India Talent School Students sit on floor at the Great India Talent School India: How a tribal school in Tripura is opening new doors India: How a tribal school in Tripura is opening new doors Society5 hours ago5 hours ago More from Asia Germany A group of women with African roots in GermanyA group of women with African roots in Germany How Afro-Germans are reaching for the stars How Afro-Germans are reaching for the stars Politics7 hours ago7 hours ago More from Germany Europe Manchester United fans holding up a banner Manchester United fans holding up a banner United planned Greenwood return amid fan protests - reports United planned Greenwood return amid fan protests - reports Soccer13 hours ago13 hours ago More from Europe Middle East Farmers harvest at fields planted with wheat and barley in Iraq. Farmers harvest at fields planted with wheat and barley in Iraq. Middle East's groundwater shortage: Will it soon run out? Middle East's groundwater shortage: Will it soon run out? Nature and Environment08/16/2023August 16, 2023 More from Middle East North America Video of Madonna behind a stage.Video of Madonna behind a stage. Queen of Pop Madonna -- forever young? Queen of Pop Madonna -- forever young? Music11 hours ago11 hours ago More from North America Latin America Three close-up headshots, left to right: Milei, Massa, Bullrich.Three close-up headshots, left to right: Milei, Massa, Bullrich. Argentina at a crossroads ahead of fall elections Argentina at a crossroads ahead of fall elections Politics7 hours ago7 hours ago More from Latin America Go to homepage Advertisement About DW * Who we are * Press * DW Global Media Forum DW offers * Learn German * DW Akademie Service * Newsletters * Reception * FAQ * Contact * Topics from A to Z * Headlines B2B * Sales & Distribution * Travel * Advertising * German News Service Follow us on (c) 2023 Deutsche WellePrivacy PolicyLegal noticeDigital accessibility