Germany taking steps to legalise cannabis

The German government is taking the first steps towards a possible legalisation of cannabis, local media reports say.

One of the key aspects of the Health Ministry plans is that the purchase and possession of 20 grams of cannabis by those over 18 years of age should not be a crime, according to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland media network, which had seen the document.

The main points of the proposals laid out by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach are being discussed between the relevant ministries, the report said.

The cultivation of up to two cannabis plants for personal use is to be permitted. The amount of the intoxicating substance THC in legalised cannabis should not exceed 15 per cent, according to the plans.

In principle, cannabis should no longer be legally classified as a narcotic.

If young people under the age of 18 are caught with cannabis, they would also be exempt from punishment. However the youth welfare offices could oblige young people to participate in prevention courses in these cases, and the cannabis would be confiscated.

The locations of cannabis shops are to be regulated: there should be minimum distances to schools, children's and youth facilities.

A month ago, Germany's finance minister, Christian Lindner, had suggested that cannabis could be legalised next year.

However, Drug Commissioner Burkhard Blienert said in July that it was unlikely that the law would come into force before 2024.

The governing coalition are due to present a draft law at the end of this year or the beginning of next year.

Lauterbach has estimated that about 4 million adults use cannabis in Germany, with a large black market and the involvement of organised crime.