Germany paves way for legalization of cannabis

The German government paved the way for the legalization of cannabis on Wednesday, though it remains unclear whether the plan will pass muster at the European level, reported dpa.

According to the plan approved by Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Cabinet, cannabis and the active substance tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) would no longer to be legally classified as narcotics.

The purchase and possession of up to 30 grams of cannabis would be exempt from punishment, private cultivation would be permitted to a limited extent and sale to adults in "licensed specialist shops" and possibly also pharmacies would be possible.

Whether this will actually happen, however, remains to be seen. European rules on the handling of cannabis could stand in the way of legalization in Germany.

The international legal framework offers "limited options for implementing the coalition's project," according to the plan approved by the Cabinet.

In their coalition agreement, Scholz's centre-left SPD, the Greens and the pro-business FDP had agreed to introduce "the controlled distribution of cannabis to adults for consumption purposes in licensed shops."