As part of the bill, adult-only non-profit cannabis social clubs with a maximum of 500 members became legal in Germany on 1 July 2024.
[4][5][6] In March 2023, the health minister, Karl Lauterbach, reported a positive reaction from European Commission on the plan, and intended to bring a bill forward soon.
[16] Consumption of cannabis near schools, kindergartens, public playgrounds, sports facilities and "pedestrian zones in city centers between 7 am and 8 pm" will not be allowed.
[17][12] Details of a leaked version of a new scaled-back plan were published by German newspaper Die Zeit in late March.
[26] Health Minister Lauterbach said in January 2024 that the bill would be passed by the Bundestag in the week between 19 and 23 February and then go into force beginning on 1 April.
[29] The bill has been criticised by many in the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) because it does not allow for the control of cannabis via sales from licensed stores, which they state would tackle organised crime and reduce the burden on the police.
[30] A 2021 study from the University of Düsseldorf concluded that legal sales of recreational cannabis in Germany could raise over $5.3 billion in additional yearly tax revenue and create 27,000 jobs in the country.
[33] Provisions of the October 2022 framework paper include sales in licensed establishments, and personal possession by adults over 18 years of 20 to 30 grams of cannabis without THC content limit.