Germany is set to become the third EU member state to legalize recreational cannabis, following the footsteps of Malta and Luxembourg.

The factions constituting Germany’s coalition government reached an agreement last week on the legalization of cannabis, paving the way for the enactment of a new law in the spring.

The proposal will now undergo deliberation in the country’s parliament, with a vote anticipated later this month.

According to a report by Zeit, a prominent German publication, the coalition government comprising the SPD, Greens, and FDP has finalized the specifics of cannabis legalization.

The legislation could take effect on April 1st, but is subject to approval by the Bundestag and Bundesrat. Germany’s federal health minister, Karl Lauterbach, aims for parliamentary approval during the week of February 19th to 23rd.

Lauterbach, in a recent statement on X (Twitter), lauded the consensus reached by the coalition groups, emphasizing the objectives of combating the black market, decriminalization, and enhanced protection for minors. He criticized the previous drug policy as ineffective and hailed the agreement as a fresh start.

The accord aligns with the vision outlined by the “Traffic Light Coalition” late last year. In November, the SPD, Greens, and FDP announced a breakthrough in negotiations for the new cannabis law, signalling an end to the restrictive ban policy.

Kirsten Kappert-Gonther, spokesperson for the Green Party, expressed satisfaction with the focus on youth and health protection and the cessation of criminalization.

Forbes highlighted the challenges encountered in Germany’s path to legalization, including the need for revisions due to potential breaches of EU laws and opposition from both rival parties and dissenting voices within the government, notably the SPD parliamentary group.

However, the recent agreement indicates a resolution of resistance within the SPD ranks against the Cannabis Act (CanG), as reported by Legal Tribune Online.

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Resolution of Disagreements Paves the Way for Cannabis Legalization in Germany

Late last year, Legal Tribune Online reported a setback in the final reading of the Cannabis Act (CanG) as Dirk Heidenblut MdB, the SPD parliamentary group’s health politician responsible for cannabis issues, announced its postponement.

The SPD parliamentary group’s concerns about the setup prompted this delay, surprising both the cannabis community and coalition partners.

Heidenblut, an advocate for legalization, expressed his disappointment, citing the lack of understanding for the sudden veto, and the implementation was rescheduled for the following year without disclosing further details.

Kappert-Gonther expressed her disappointment at the time, emphasizing the missed opportunity for cannabis to be on the agenda. She believed that the reform’s passage was feasible but faced unexpected hurdles.

However, the recent agreement among coalition parties indicates the resolution of these disagreements, marking a significant step towards a new era of cannabis legalization in Germany.

The coalition leaders stated that the regulations represent a substantial milestone for a modern drug policy, emphasizing the enhancement of prevention and improvements in health, child, and youth protection, as reported by Legal Tribune Online.

Forbes notes that the agreement clears the path for the legalization of cannabis for personal use, aligning with the upcoming vote.

Barring additional delays, Germany is poised to become the third European Union member state to legalize cannabis for personal use, following the footsteps of Malta and Luxembourg.

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Germany’s Cannabis Legalization: Updates and Expected Changes

According to Forbes, the legalization of cannabis for personal use by the government coalition signifies a significant advancement in modern drug policy, prioritizing prevention and enhancing health, child, and youth protection.

However, concerns raised by the SPD have prompted potential revisions to the proposed legislation introduced last year by Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach.

These revisions may entail expanded and expedited monitoring and reporting obligations concerning the illicit market.

Recent revisions to the bill, as reported by Forbes, aim to address opposition from advocates and supporters in the Bundestag.

Changes include increased home possession limits and the removal of the possibility of imprisonment for minor possession infractions.

The government coalition also intends to introduce supplementary measures establishing pilot programs for commercial sales, which will be unveiled after submission to the European Commission.

If the proposal passes parliament as anticipated within the next two months, the ban on cannabis will be lifted by April 1st.

Adults will then have the freedom to cultivate cannabis at home and possess limited quantities, while cannabis clubs will be permitted from July 1st, 2024.