Thedrug policy ofGermany is considered to be one of the most lenient amongEuropean Union (EU) countries. Policies vary depending on thestate.
In 1994, theFederal Constitutional Court ruled that drug addiction and the possession of small quantities of narcotics for personal use were not crimes. In 2000, the German law on narcotics (Betäubungsmittelgesetz) was changed to allow supervised injection rooms.[citation needed]
In 2002, a pilot project was started in seven German cities to evaluate the effects ofheroin-assisted treatment on addicts, compared tomethadone-assisted treatment. In 2009, the positive results of the study led to heroin-assisted treatment becoming included in mandatory health insurance.[citation needed]
As of November 2010, the youth organisation ofAlliance 90/The Greens, namely theGreen Youth, support the decriminalisation of those who consume drugs and the regulated sale of drugs via specialist stores along with drug education.[1]
In February 2021, authorities in Germany andBelgium seized more than 23 tonnes (23 long tons; 25 short tons) ofcocaine, worth billions ofeuros, from shipments that originated inParaguay andPanama. In an international operation that resulted in one arrest, a man fromVlaardingen, Netherlands, German and Belgian authorities seized the largest amount of cocaine in Europe.[2]
In 2017, Germany re-allowed medical cannabis. After the2021 German federal election, thenew government announced in theircoalition agreement that they intend to legalise cannabis for all purposes (includingrecreational), and legislation to this effect was passed on 23 February 2024. TheGerman cannabis control bill law went into effect on 1 April.
In March 2023, the former health minister,Karl Lauterbach, reported a positive reaction fromEuropean Commission on the plan, and intended to bring a bill forward soon.[3]
The finalised bill received approval of the governing parties on 2 February 2024.[4][5] The Bundestag passed the bill on 23 February 2024, and the Bundesrat approved it on 22 March, with the national legalisation to follow by 1 April.[6][7] The final bill legislates that adults in Germany (those aged 18 and over) can legally use cannabis, possess and carry up to 25 grams (7⁄8 oz) of cannabis for personal possession in public and have up to50 grams (1+3⁄4 oz) of dried cannabis at home.[8] The legislation states that adults have a maximum purchase limit of 25 grams of cannabis a day and a monthly maximum purchase limit of 50 grams of cannabis.[9] Each individual adult in Germany can also have up to three of their own cannabis plants at home.[10] From 1 July 2024, adult residents of Germany will be allowed to join adult-only non-profit cannabis social clubs in Germany, with a maximum membership of 500.[11] These cannabis social clubs will require permits.[12] Consumption of cannabis inside and in a radius of less of 100 m from the entrances of schools, kindergartens, public playgrounds, public sports facilities, as well as in presence of minors and, between 7 am and 8 pm, in pedestrian zones in city centers will not be allowed.[13][8][14]The German Bundesrat has legalized cannabis consumption, with some restrictions, starting in April
  | This article aboutGerman law is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
 | Thispharmacology-related article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
 | Thispsychoactive drug-related article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
