The Lower House of the Parliament of Germany approved this Friday the partial legalization of the possession and consumption of cannabisa measure that will come into force from April 1 and that allows one of the main projects promoted by the Government coalition to materialize.

The partial decriminalization has gone ahead with the vote in favor of 407 deputies compared to 226 votes against. Four other deputies have abstained. The Upper House is expected to approve the bill on March 22.

The legislative project, highly criticized from various sectors, provides thatAdults over 18 years of age may be in possession of up to 25 grams of cannabis for personal consumption and 50 at home.. Besides, The possession of three cannabis plants per home will be legalized.

The law will prohibit smoking cannabis in public spaces near schools and sports facilitiesas well as less than 100 meters from the entrance of these centers.

Additionally, the creation of non-commercial “cultivation associations” for adults will be permitted, in which up to 500 members residing in Germany will be able to collectively produce cannabis and supply it to each other for personal consumption, up to a maximum of 50 grams per member per month. .

After a maximum of 18 months after the entry into force of the law, An initial evaluation of the impact on minors and young people will be carried outas stipulated in the text.

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has defended the legislation and pointed out that the current situation “is not acceptable” given that there is a growing number of consumers facing “toxic concentrations” of cannabis from illegal drug trafficking. “The black market is the core of evil,” he stated.

Lauterbach has emphasized the need for greater education regarding cannabis use. “Let’s not trivialize it“, he stressed before adding that many young people are not aware that consumption acts as a “poison for the growing brain.”

However, both the conservative CDU/CSU alliance and the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) have opposed the measure, considering that it “only pays lip service to the protection of minors” and They have warned that it could generate more addiction.