The German Bundestag passed a series of amendments to its cannabis law just two months ago after its official implementation. One concerns THC limits for drivers, the other gives states more room to regulate cultivation associations, which are expected to be launched in July.
After promising the federal states more control in a “protocol statement” in a last ditch effort to pass the CanG, the architect of the project, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, has now kept his promise.
Driving and THC
The Bundestag has passed an amendment to the Road Traffic Act, which increases the limit of the level of THC allowed in the driver’s blood. Under the new regulationsthe limit will increase from 1ng/ml to 3.5ng/ml of blood serum, a limit determined by the recommendations of an expert commission from the Ministry of Transport.
Although some have suggested that this limit remains too low, it is more in line with the limits placed on driving under the influence of alcohol.
This limit applies to all methods of cannabis consumption, including combustion, edibleoils and beverages, but will exclude THC that “arises from the intended use of a prescribed medication for a specific disease.”
Exceeding this limit for first-time offenders will be punished by a one-month driving ban and a fine of 500 euros.
Also, consuming alcohol after exceeding the limit of 3.5 ng/ml THC and driving will constitute a new offense.
New drivers under the age of 21 will be prohibited from using THC for two years.
Saliva tests will be used as a preliminary test to detect the use of cannabis, but if a driver shows signs of impairment, he may be asked to take a blood test, even if the saliva test is negative.
Dr Kirsten Kappert-Gonther, of Alliance 90 and the Greens, told MPs: “It is a mistake to criminalize cannabis and promote alcohol everywhere.”
“What is prohibited is to criminalize people who do not drive under the influence of alcohol. This is exactly what we are implementing today”
A motion by the Union faction to prevent the lifting of THC limits while driving was rejected by MPs, much to the dismay of opponents of the amendment.
Dirk Brandes of the AFD said during the vote: “How dangerous do you want to make the lives of German citizens? Seriously, there are not enough problems that worry Germany with your irresponsible attitude towards rapists and jihadists with knives in this country?”
“It starts with drunk driving and, in the worst case, it ends with Islamic terrorist attacks in Mannheim”
Cultural associations
Changes were also made to the already complex regulation future cultural associations.
A change to the Cannabis Act will now give federal states the ability to refuse permits if cultivation areas or greenhouses are located near other associations.
This measure aims to give states greater freedom to prevent the emergence of “large-scale cultivation areas”.
Dirk Heidenblut of the SPD said in the last reading: “One of the main reasons why the legalization of cannabis could be carried out in the country was the declaration of the protocol in which the coalition promised the relevant federal states to find a solution to their problems.”
“We give the federal states the flexibility they need, and another aspect that I think is important is that we also help the states with drug prevention and training assistance.”
“I believe it is essential that Cannabis Social Clubs begin to operate, and therefore I hope that the federal states understand this and use their march carefully. If they decide to put an end to these activities, they will limit access to legal cannabis, that harm youth, prevention and access to controlled, safe and proven cannabis.
At the same time, the ban on commercial providers offering more than one service will also be enforced to limit business opportunities for ancillary businesses.
However, a last-minute amendment was adopted by the health committee, which removes the ban on paid employees of cultural associations to carry out various activities that are not directly related to “collective cultivation or distribution of cannabis “, with the aim of reducing the organization. costs