Why it matters: An 82-year-old German man has been given a final warning after being found guilty of drug dealing, despite 24 previous convictions. The man, who said he wanted to improve his monthly pension by selling marijuana and was handed a suspended sentence, was told by the court that it was his “very last warning”.
What they are saying: Germany has been a key battleground for campaigners who advocate legalising marijuana in the EU. Following elections in 2021, when the center-left Social Democrats Party (SPD) received the most votes, the party formed a coalition with the Green Party and Free Democrats (FDP) to establish a new government and pursue marijuana legalisation. The proposed new law “foresees legalising the possession of up to 25 grams (nearly 1 ounce) of cannabis for recreational purposes and allowing individuals to grow up to three plants”.
The big picture: The German cannabis legalisation plans were revised earlier this year, including by decriminalising possession of small amounts, but setting up projects to sell cannabis through ‘commercial supply chains’ fell away due to EU limits: “EU law ‘sets us limits we must respect, but that I will also say we are pushing’. Lauterbach had cautioned all along that the government would only proceed with its original plan if it got the green light from the EU.”
What to watch: The green light for growing projects is not yet given, meaning the current legal status of cannabis remains. Legalisation measures are expected to update laws surrounding marijuana, but it remains unclear when this might take place.
Your take: Germany’s plan is decisive and encouraging when it comes to marijuana legalisation, but we need to be patient while it works. There will be disagreements and hurdles along the way, but it is clear that support for this movement is gaining significant strength.
