As of 1st April 2024, it is now legal to possess and grow cannabis in Germany.

The new law allows the possession of 25g of cannabis for personal use and growing of up to three plants at home for personal use. Past possession offences can also now be requested to be removed from criminal records. There are plans from July 1st for not-for-profit associations to be established whereby cannabis can be grown and supplied to members. Each association can have up to 500 members who will be able to receive up to 50g of cannabis each month.

The goal of the law reforms is to curb the growth of the cannabis black market and improve the safety of the drug as it can be quality controlled. People will be informed of the potency and ingredients of what they are consuming, which is often an uncertainty when buying from drug dealers. However, in the short term, it is likely that demand will exceed legal supply, which may cause the black market to grow. This is a worry for police who will now struggle to identify drug dealers, as there is no way of knowing whether the cannabis people are carrying is for personal use or not.

Apart from reducing black market transactions, drug legalisation can be beneficial in that it makes it easier for people who have addiction issues to seek help. It can also help combat racism as, according to statistics from the Ministry of Justice, black people in the UK are 12 times more likely to be prosecuted in relation to cannabis possession, despite the fact they consume the same amount as white people.

Although it is still prohibited for people under 18, there are concerns that the cannabis legalisation in Germany may result in greater consumption among young people. Cannabis can affect the development of young people’s nervous systems, putting them more at risk of conditions such as psychosis and schizophrenia. In an attempt to counter this, the law stipulates that cannabis must not be smoked within 100m of schools and playgrounds.

Friedrich Merz, leader of the Christian Democratic Union, has promised to reverse the legalisation if his party win power at the next general election in 2025, in which case this change would be short-lived.

Germany now has some of the most liberal cannabis laws in Europe; it is the third European country to legalise it after Malta and Luxembourg. Many European countries, such as Portugal and Spain, have decriminalised cannabis, which means someone possessing a small amount of the drug will not face criminal penalties, but it is still illegal. This is perhaps a step towards legalisation.

If you are struggling with drug use, the university’s counselling service and student services can offer support. There are also further resources in Nottingham:

https://www.nottinghamrecoverynetwork.com/

https://www.changegrowlive.org/the-place