On Monday, Germany became the European Union’s biggest country to legalize recreational cannabis.
However, this was by no means an uncontested decision: many political representatives and medical officials are fiercely dissatisfied.
Legal adults are now allowed to carry 25 grams of dried cannabis and cultivate up to three marijuana plants at home.
The changes leave Germany with some of the most liberal cannabis laws in Europe, alongside Malta and Luxembourg, which legalized recreational use in 2021 and 2023, respectively. The Netherlands, known for its permissive attitude to the drug, has in recent years taken a stricter approach to counter cannabis tourism, says Le Monde.
Medical professionals warn that cannabis use among young people can affect the development of the central nervous system, leading to an increased risk of developing psychosis and schizophrenia.
In what seems a ludicrous solution, the government has promised a widespread information campaign to raise awareness of the risks and to boost support programs.
The possibility of retroactive amnesty for those previously charged for possession of cannabis remains as of yet unclear.
Conservatives hope to entirely nix the law if possible, while liberals praise the responsible take on minimizing the black market.
