After a rocky journey, cannabis for recreational purposes officially passed the German parliament with a vote of 407 to 226 on February 23rd, 2024 (1). The bulk of the push for the new laws came from Germany’s Health Minister, Karl Lauterbach who has stated that his goals are to weaken the illegal market and protect consumers (1). Cannabis use in the country has been on the rise, he also explained, which poses health risks from contamination (2). The new regulations aim to tightly control the distribution of cannabis products (1). Instead of dispensaries, starting July 1, citizens will be able to obtain cannabis through membership of social clubs with limits and restrictions (1,3).

Source: The Guardian March 05, 2024 05:00 UTC