“We don’t have to hide anymore” | EUROtoday

MWith a lit joint, quite a few folks celebrated the legalization of hashish in entrance of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on Monday evening. Several hundred folks gathered in an exuberant temper, some dancing to reggae music, as a reporter from the German Press Agency reported on website. A meter-high hashish leaf adorned the scene in entrance of the Berlin landmark, and numerous lighters lit up simply in time for midnight. Shortly afterwards, a powerful scent of hashish wafted throughout the sq..

“We can finally show ourselves, we don’t have to hide anymore,” mentioned Henry Plottke, a member of the German Hemp Association (DHV), earlier than the beginning of the marketing campaign. The assembly was organized by the Berlin native group of the DHV and was registered with the police. By smoking weed collectively, the goal was to rejoice the “newfound freedoms,” mentioned Plottke. It was a key occasion for him to have the ability to legally smoke a joint in entrance of the Brandenburg Gate. As a client, he feels “a lot of relief” about now not being thought-about a felony. He can also be completely satisfied that legalization may also ease relations with the police.

Federal Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP) expects the burden on the judiciary and police to be relieved. “The change means a one-off increase in workload, but in the long term the police and judiciary will be relieved,” he informed the newspapers of the editorial community Germany (RND). “You can then pursue even more relevant crime.”

There are at present greater than 100,000 felony proceedings in opposition to hashish customers. This is an indication that the earlier hashish coverage has failed. “It placed a heavy burden on the police, public prosecutors and judiciary, but in reality it hardly prevented consumption. Instead, consumers were driven into the hands of dealers with inferior products and hard drugs,” mentioned the FDP politician.

Drug commissioner requires mannequin assessments for industrial trafficking

Smoking marijuana or cannabis has been allowed since April 1st. Anyone 18 years or older can retailer as much as 50 grams at house and carry a most of 25 grams outdoors. Where it’s not explicitly forbidden, smoking weed is allowed. It is prohibited on playgrounds, in faculties, sports activities amenities, together with soccer stadiums, kids's and youth amenities and within reach of them – inside 100 meters because the crow flies of the doorway space.

The federal authorities's drug and habit commissioner, Burkhard Blienert (SPD), referred to as on the visitors gentle coalition to determine on mannequin assessments for industrial commerce after the partial legalization of hashish. “With the first step we are only creating improvements for regular consumers. But now it is absolutely necessary to round things up and decide on the model projects as a second pillar,” mentioned Blienert to the Germany editorial community. “This is the only way we can ensure that occasional users no longer have to go to the dealer,” he emphasised. It is necessary that there’s a strict ban on promoting when promoting in state-licensed retailers and that little one safety is noticed.

The visitors gentle coalition had initially deliberate to mix the partial legalization, which has been in impact since Monday, with the discharge of economic commerce. After discussions with the European Union, this level was initially dropped. Regionally restricted and scientifically supported mannequin experiments have now been introduced because the second pillar. However, the required authorized modifications haven’t but been launched.