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The German government approved a preliminary statute, marking a significant step toward legalizing recreational cannabis. Under the upcoming legislation, adults would be permitted to own a maximum of 25 grams (approximately 0.9 ounces) of marijuana and cultivate up to three plants for personal use. Moreover, they could participate in not-for-profit “marijuana clubs,” comprising up to 500 members, where the legal growth and purchase of the substance would be permissible.
The bill’s journey to becoming law is not yet complete. The legislation must be approved by German parliamentarians who are slated to reconvene on Sept. 4, 2023, after their summer recess.
Karl Lauterbach, the country’s health minister, hailed the draft legislation as a pivotal moment in Germany’s stance on marijuana. According to him, the more lenient approach holds the potential to combat the illicit market and drug-linked offenses. Moreover, it could alleviate the pressure on law-enforcement agencies and encourage safer cannabis consumption.
While this shift appears to endorse a more permissive attitude, minors would still be barred from cannabis use, with a planned government campaign alerting young people to the associated health hazards.
The new legislation, a centerpiece of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition, marks a departure from one of Europe’s most liberal marijuana policies. Nevertheless, the current draft has undergone modifications from its original, more ambitious, form. Notably, plans to permit the widespread commercial sale of cannabis through licensed outlets were jettisoned in April due to reservations raised by the European Commission.
Despite these changes, the draft law has faced formidable opposition from conservative politicians, medical professionals and law-enforcement representatives. A notable detractor is Klaus Holetschek, Bavaria’s regional health minister from the CDU party, who has branded the proposals as reckless. He argues that past examples from other nations reveal that liberalization does little to suppress the illegal market.
The German Professional Association of Pediatricians, in conjunction with other youth healthcare groups, has also criticized the plans for potentially encouraging cannabis use among young individuals. In addition, the law-enforcement community, including judges and police unions, has voiced concerns, characterizing the legislation as overly bureaucratic. They fear that the law could exacerbate the situation rather than alleviate burdens on the judicial system.
However, Lauterbach welcomes the controversial discourse initiated by the proposals, although he contends that critics fail to offer viable alternatives. Lauterbach staunchly advocates for a decriminalization approach, coupled with stringent restrictions and comprehensive education on the perils of cannabis consumption. To further regulate the use of cannabis, the legislation designates a 200-meter exclusion zone around cannabis clubs, sports facilities, playgrounds, youth organizations and schools.
If the bill garners approval, the government plans to assess its societal impact after a span of four years.
This initiative aligns with a global trend, as multiple countries have taken steps to relax regulations surrounding cannabis use. In 2013, Uruguay led the charge by legalizing the cultivation, sale and consumption of cannabis, setting a precedent for the world. In the United States, numerous states, including California, have progressively revised their laws over the last decade to accommodate recreational marijuana use.
Malta achieved a landmark feat in 2021 as the first European Union member to legalize recreational marijuana. Meanwhile, the Netherlands has long tolerated the sale and consumption of marijuana in designated “coffee shops” since the 1970s.
Drawing inspiration from these international examples, Lauterbach expresses confidence that the current form of the German plan constitutes the most comprehensive endeavor in marijuana legislation to date.
When this marijuana market finally opens, many companies that operate along the lines of U.S-based Advanced Container Technologies Inc. (OTC: ACTX) are likely to mushroom and strive as they serve those interested in growing their own marijuana at home.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Advanced Container Technologies Inc. (OTC: ACTX) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://cnw.fm/ACTX
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