International
Germany approves first cannabis social club after legalization
Lower Saxony's Minister of Agriculture, Miriam Staudte, announced this Monday that his office authorized the first cannabis social club, the Social Club Ganderkesee, just one week after submitting the process. The authorization allows the cooperative to begin cultivating cannabis for its members, which represents an important step in implementing the German cannabis legalization law.abis. Additional licenses are expected to be issued across Germany in the coming weeks.
Although the news was encouraging for the cannabis sector in Germany, states such as Bavaria have indicated that they will delay granting licenses until at least the autumn, exercising their authority to impose restrictions.
For her part, Miriam Staudte, from the Green Party, highlighted that this initial issuance of licenses is “a historic step towards consumer protection and the controlled cultivation of cannabis in Germany”.
From April 1st, it became legal in Germany for adults to possess and cultivate cannabis for personal use. However, legal routes to obtain cannabis remain limited.
The role of cannabis social clubs
Cannabis social clubs (CSC) will play a crucial role in Germany's new legal landscape. Each club will have a maximum limit of 500 members and will be able to sell up to 50 grams of cannabis per member per month. These clubs are considered vital to combat the black market. Carmen Wegge, deputy for the Social Democratic Party (SPD), declared that “even if you don't have a particularly green thumb, a CSC is certainly a good alternative”.
Waiting for the second pillar: Commercial sales
Advocates and stakeholders eagerly await the government's plan for the second pillar of legalization, which is expected to include a broader commercial sales model. This plan is crucial for the full implementation of the cannabis market in Germany.
The Minister of Agriculture of Lower Saxony, Miriam Staudte, announced on X (formerly Twitter) the authorization of the first cannabis social club in Germany
German lawmakers recently approved several changes to the cannabis legalization law, addressing driving under the influence and granting states greater authority over cannabis cultivation.
A significant change allows states to set their own grow size limits for cooperatives now allowed to distribute cannabis to their members. This gives regional governments the power to impose restrictions on the size of plantations.
Another notable measure sets a limit per se of THC for driving under the influence, considering drivers under the influence if they have more than 3,5 ng/ml of THC in their blood. This amendment also prohibits driving under the influence of cannabis and alcohol, regardless of the quantities consumed.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, who led the cannabis legalization initiative and briefed the Bundestag in December on the commercial sales plan, is currently reviewing the second pillar of implementation of the new regulation. With legalization now in effect, there is increasing pressure to speed up this process.
Germany's approval of its first cannabis social club marks a pivotal moment in the country's cannabis legalization journey. As the nation continues to navigate this new landscape, further developments in licensing, commercial sales and regulatory measures will be closely watched by advocates and stakeholders. This progressive step not only aims to provide safe and controlled access to cannabis, it also represents a significant step towards dismantling the black market and ensuring consumer safety.
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[Disclaimer: Please note that this text was originally written in Portuguese and is translated into English and other languages using an automatic translator. Some words may differ from the original and typos or errors may occur in other languages.]____________________________________________________________________________________________________
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With a professional background in CAD technical drawing (2D and 3D), João Xabregas is an activist and advocate for all uses and applications of cannabis. He discovered and entered the world of cannabis during his youth, where he developed a special interest in the cultivation of the plant, which led him on a journey of self-learning through the world of cannabis that continues to this day. His adventures linked to cannabis cultivation began with the same goal as many others: to be able to guarantee the quality and eliminate any possible risks to his health of what he consumed, as well as to avoid any type of dependence on the illicit market. However, he quickly began to view the world of cannabis and everything related to it with a very different perspective. He admits the enormous passion he has for the most persecuted plant in the world and about which he is always willing to write and have a good conversation.
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One step forwards, TWO STEPS BACKWARDS!