Berlin, Germany: German lawmakers voted late last week in favor of a plan to permit adults to legally possess personal use quantities of cannabis.
The plan, which was overwhelmingly approved by members of Parliament’s lower house, allows residents ages 18 and older to possess (up to 25 grams) and home cultivate (up to three plants) cannabis. It also calls for the establishment of not-for-profit cannabis clubs, which will be permitted to grow and provide cannabis for their members.
Neither commercial cannabis production, retail sales, nor marijuana-related advertising is permitted under the measure. Marijuana sales to minors remain strictly forbidden, with offenders facing penalties of up to two years imprisonment.
Last year, similar legislation took effect in the European nation of Luxembourg. That followed a similar move in 2021 by lawmakers on the island of Malta.