Star Metro - Germany revamps cannabis plan after opposition

Berlin had announced in October proposals to introduce some of Europe's most liberal cannabis laws.

But on Wednesday the coalition government unveiled a watered-down, two-stage plan that would still allow adults to possess cannabis in small amounts but not its sale in stores nationwide.

While the details may have changed, the "original goals" have not, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach told a press conference, listing them as "safer consumption, tackling the black market, protecting young people".

The first stage of the new plan would permit the establishment of "cannabis clubs", non-profit groups of up to 500 members allowed to cultivate the drug for personal use.

Members will be allowed to possess up to 25 grams (0.9 ounces) of cannabis and grow up to three plants each.

Minors will still be prohibited from consuming the drug.

A draft bill related to the cannabis clubs should be ready later this month before being presented the cabinet and MPs for approval.

"Consumption will still become legal this year," Agriculture Minister Cem Ozdemir told the press conference.

A second stage would involve testing -- in regions yet to be chosen, over a five-year period -- the production and sale of cannabis in specialised stores under government licence.

Widespread sale of the drug across the country, as envisaged in the original plan, was not possible under European law.

The pilot project could serve as a model at the European level and lead to a change in the law, said Lauterbach, adding that he had had encouraging discussions with other countries on the subject.

Legalisation of cannabis was one of the flagship policies agreed by Germany's coalition partners -- the Social Democrats, Greens and the liberal FDP -- when they formed a government in late 2021.

- 'Wrong track' -

Wednesday's announcement drew sharp criticism from the opposition.

The government is "fundamentally on the wrong track," tweeted Markus Soeder, leader of the CSU, the Bavarian sister party of the main opposition CDU.

"Drug legalisation is simply the wrong way to go. Karl Lauterbach, as minister of health, seriously proposes the establishment of drug clubs. This does not solve problems, but creates new ones."

The GdP police union also said it did not believe the plans would do much to curb the illegal cannabis trade, the group's deputy chairman Alexander Poitz told the RND media group.

O.Lessard--SMC