CANNABIS is set to become legal for adults for "recreational purposes" in Germany in plans tabled by the country's health minister.
Karl Lauterbach has unveiled proposals to decriminalise the possession of up to 30 grams of cannabis and allow the sale of the substance to adults.
It would be flogged to adults at licensed outlets and potentially also pharmacies – but advertising would be banned.
Health Minister Lauterbach said the aim is to combat the black market.
It would make Germany the second European Union country to legalise cannabis after Malta.
According to a survey presented by the official, an estimated 4 million adults use cannabis in Germany.
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A question mark remains over whether the plan approved by Berin's Cabinet will go ahead because the government first wants to be sure that it is compatible with European Union law.
Lauterbach said it will only go ahead with legislation if that is the case.
He added: "The federal cabinet today agreed the key points for the controlled distribution of cannabis to adults for recreational use."
Lauterbach said that the government intends to regulate the market tightly.
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Legalising controlled sales of cannabis is one of a series of reforms outlined in last year's coalition deal between the three socially liberal parties that make up Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government.
They said the plan would ensure quality control while also protecting young people, and agreed that the social effects of the new legislation would be examined after four years.
Under plans, adults would be able to legally carry 20 to 20 grams of cannabis for their own use.
Many European countries, including Germany, have already legalised cannabis for limited medicinal purposes.
Others have decriminalised its general use, while stopping short of making it legal.
Malta became the first European country to legalise marijuana for recreational use in 2021, after decriminalising it in 2018.
Weed has been decriminalised for personal use in a number of countries, including the Netherlands and Portugal, which decriminalised the use of all drugs in 2001.
Canada legalised cannabis for medicinal purposes in 2001. But in October 2018 they became the first G7 nation to legalise recreational use of the drug.
Other countries that have legalised recreational use include Georgia, Malta, Mexico, South Africa, Thailand, and Uruguay.
There are 47 countries worldwide that allow medical use of marijuana such as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, Germany, Italy, Jamaica, Mexico and New Zealand.
Some US states have legalised recreational marijuana while many allow it for medicinal use only.
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In the UK, it is a crime to possess, grow, distribute, sell or grow cannabis.
Being caught with cannabis comes with a maximum of five years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both.
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