Massive public weed party as Germany gives controversial green light to cannabis

Cannabis lovers have taken over a major European city to blaze up en-masse after a landmark decision.

Cannabis lovers took to the streets of Germany to blaze up en masse after the country became the largest European Union nation to legalise the drug for recreational use.

Under the first step in the much-debated new law, adults over 18 are now allowed to carry 25 grams of dried cannabis and cultivate up to three marijuana plants at home.

Despite fierce objections from opposition politicians and medical associations, the enshrined changes leave Germany with some of the most liberal cannabis laws in Europe, alongside Malta and Luxembourg, which legalised recreational use in 2021 and 2023, respectively.

Germany has become the largest European Union nation to legalise cannabis for recreational use. Picture: Michele Tantussi/ Getty Images

As the law took effect at midnight, some 1,500 people cheered in central Berlin by the Brandenburg Gate, the famous landmark symbolising peace and unity following Germany’s division during the Cold War.

Footage circulation on social media shows revellers enthusiastically celebrating with joints, fireworks, brews and Bob Marley music.

The legalisation was “a bit of extra freedom” for 25-year-old Niyazi, who told AFP: “You do not feel as under pressure now”.

Adults over 18 are now allowed to carry 25 grams of dried cannabis and cultivate up to three marijuana plants at home. Picture: John MACDOUGALL / AFP

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said on X that cannabis consumption had officially been brought out of the “taboo zone”.

The new law was “better for real addiction help, prevention for children and young people and for combating the black market,” he said, in response to critics of the legalisation of the substance.

The next step in the legal reform means from July 1, it will be possible to legally obtain weed through “cannabis clubs” in the country.

A man walks past a mural by Berlin-based graffiti artist Eme Freethinker depicting a chimpanzee handing a joint to a likeness of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Picture: John MACDOUGALL / AFP

These regulated associations will be allowed to have up to 500 members each and will be able to distribute up to 50 grams of cannabis per person per month.

Georg Wurth, director of the German Cannabis Association, said until then, “consumers must not tell the police where they bought their cannabis” in the event of a street check.

Initial plans for cannabis to be sold via licensed shops were ditched due to EU opposition, though a second law is in the pipeline to trial the sale of the drug in shops in pilot regions.

Despite legalisation, Germany may remain divided over the issue for some time yet.

The new law leaves Germany with some of the most liberal cannabis laws in Europe. Picture: Michele Tantussi/Getty Images

Medical groups have raised concerns that legalisation could lead to an increase in use among young people, who face the highest health risks.

Cannabis use among young people can affect the development of the central nervous system, leading to an increased risk of developing psychosis and schizophrenia, experts warned.

“From our point of view, the law as it is written is a disaster,” Katja Seidel, a therapist at a cannabis addiction centre for young people in Berlin, told AFP.

The government has promised a widespread information campaign to raise awareness of the risks and to boost support programs.

It has also stressed that cannabis will remain banned for under-18s and within 100 metres of schools, kindergartens and playgrounds.

Some 1,500 people cheered in central Berlin by the Brandenburg Gate as the law took effect at midnight. Picture: John MACDOUGALL / AFP

The law has likewise drawn criticism from police, who fear it will be difficult to enforce.

“From April 1, our colleagues will find themselves in situations of conflict with citizens, as uncertainty reigns on both sides,” Alexander Poitz, vice-president of the Gewerkschaft der Polizei police union, said.

Implementing a retroactive amnesty on cannabis-related offences could also pose administrative challenges for the nation’s legal system.

According to the German Judges’ Association, the pardon could apply to more than 200,000 cases that would need to be checked and processed.

Justice Minister Marco Buschmann said the rule change would mean a “one-off increase in workload” for law enforcement during the initial transition phase.

Cannabis social clubs will also be allowed to grow their own marijuana beginning later this year. Picture: Michele Tantussi/Getty Images

However, in the long term, Buschmann told local media that the burden on the police and judiciary will be relieved.

Conservative opposition leader Friedrich Merz said he would “immediately” repeal the law if he and his party is elected in 2025.

On the pro-legalisation side of the debate, Torsten Dietrich, the head of the Cannabis Social Club lobby group, said the legalisation “could go a lot further”.

At Monday’s rally, he said the move meant the “decriminalisation of several million people in Germany who have been senselessly discriminated against.”

– With AFP