The start of legal sales was originally planned for mid-2014, but was postponed to 2015 due to technical difficulties with the pharmacy purchasing regulation software system[113], which however could not yet be achieved due to further delays (from November 2016). The start of sales took place on July 19, 2017, initially in 16 pharmacies, which so far meet the requirements of the state. [114] Consumption is prohibited in the workplace, in public places or while driving. [115] In Croatia, medical cannabis was legalized in 2015. [58] In September 2018, South Africa`s Constitutional Court legalized the cultivation of cannabis for personal use as well as the use of cannabis outside the public sphere. [106] The government of Zimbabwe announced in April 2018 that it would allow companies to grow medical cannabis in the future. Zimbabwe is the second country in Africa to legalize cannabis cultivation. [104] The legal structure varies widely. For example, in the Federal District of Washington, D.C., which has very restrictive rules, possession and self-cultivation of cannabis is allowed, but sale and public consumption are prohibited. [2] The sale is also not legal in Vermont and Virginia. On February 1, 2020, the Australian Capital Territory legalized the possession and cultivation of cannabis. Possession of 50 grams of cannabis and growing a maximum of two cannabis plants per person (maximum four plants in a household) are no longer punishable for persons aged 18 and over.
[82] With a coalition of traffic lights in Germany, cannabis could also be legalized. The three parties, SPD, FDP and Greens, had shown themselves open to legalisation. The criticism comes from the police union (GoP): among other things, it warns that there will be more road accidents due to cannabis use. Experts also warn against careless use of the drug. Medical cannabis is legal in South Africa. [105] Criminal proceedings concerning the acquisition of small quantities of cannabis products in the order of “very small quantities” are generally abandoned by the Public Prosecutor`s Office on the basis of a 1994 Federal Constitutional Court ruling. The amount called the smallest amount is regulated differently in federal states. In North Rhine-Westphalia, for example, it is (in August 2013) 10 g of raw amount of cannabis. [13] Small amounts of cannabis are forfeited when found, but do not need to be tried in court. This rule applies only to occasional consumers, the interpretation of the decision is at the discretion of the judge or prosecutor and may depend on other circumstances of the individual case. If, on the basis of previous recruitments, there is the impression that the consumer is a long-term consumer, he cannot expect employment in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Constitutional Court. Likewise, there must be no danger to others due to public consumption. In 1990, Lübeck judge Wolfgang Nešković called on the Federal Constitutional Court to legalize cannabis under the slogan “Right to intoxication”. So far, it has not responded to this request, but has instructed the Conference of Ministers of the Interior to set a national maximum limit for quantities of own consumption. So far, the full implementation of this measure has been neglected. From 15 May 2021, applications for pilot tests with non-medical cannabis can be submitted to the Federal Office of Public Health.These studies aim to increase knowledge about the benefits and harms of controlled access to cannabis. In particular, they should make it possible to examine and document the consequences on the health and consumption patterns of users in a scientific framework, but also to measure the effects on the local illicit drug market as well as on the protection of minors and public safety. In 2018, the Northern Mariana Islands became the first U.S. territory to legalize the possession of small amounts and the licensed production of recreational and recreational cannabis products. [125] In 2019, legalization followed in the outer territory of Guam. [126] Thailand`s parliament decided in December 2018 to release medical marijuana. This makes Thailand the first country in Asia to legalize the medical use of cannabis. Private households are also allowed to grow cannabis for medical purposes or for the production of cosmetics. [107] The states where recreational cannabis is legal for individuals 21 years of age and older are Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Colorado, Illinois, California, Oregon, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Washington (as of August 2022). [1] Cannabis flowers containing up to 0.3% THC are sold legally in the Czech Republic, as are iced tea containing cannabis and gummy bears. [76] Since the beginning of 2022, the upper limit allowed for THC is 1%.
[77] In Germany, there are still strict regulations regarding weed. Buying and selling is illegal. But also possession and cultivation are prohibited. According to the Narcotics Act, there can even be prison sentences of up to five years or fines. Specifically, it states that anyone who “cultivates, manufactures, illegally markets narcotics, imports, exports, sells, supplies, otherwise markets out, acquires or otherwise acquires narcotics” is liable to prosecution. As with any rule, there are some exceptions. While hemp cultivation is therefore strictly forbidden to individuals, since 1996, agricultural companies can grow industrial hemp under certain conditions, such as a certain size of business and a defined economic sector. However, these must be authorised varieties in the EU and their seeds cannot be replanted. There is another special permit for the cultivation of hemp for scientific purposes. However, this must be reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis by the Federal Institute for Medicines and Medical Devices. But what about other countries? If the clusters of resinous flowers and small leaves of the female plant are crushed and dried, they can cause a psychoactive effect when consumed. For this reason, hashish or hash oil obtained is considered an illegal drug in Germany and many other countries.Responsible for this psychoactive reaction is the cannabinoid THC, which has a sedative, relaxing and antiemetic effect on the central nervous system of humans. According to the World Drug Report, cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug in the world. It is therefore understandable that there are strict legal regulations for the cultivation of the hemp plant. It will take at least six months before you can legally buy cannabis in Germany. But the federal Department of Health has now presented the rough plans. 28. In August 2013, the U.S. federal government announced that it would no longer actively combat cannabis-related offences if the use and possession of small amounts were permitted in the respective states. The DEA should now only intervene if violence or firearms are involved in the incident. This is expected to mainly affect gangs and cartels. The DEA will also remain active in states where cannabis remains illegal. In states where cannabis is legal, legal restrictions continue to exist with the prohibition of sale to minors, street consumption and transfer to other states, the concrete form of which varies.
[124] On November 6, 2012, the states of Washington (Washington Initiative 502) and Colorado (Colorado Amendment 64) legalized the private possession of up to 28 grams of cannabis by referendum. Meanwhile, recreational cannabis has also been widely legalized in Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, California, Oregon, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and the Federal District of Washington, DC. [121] This increased the number of states where the drug can be legally possessed under state law to 19 plus Washington, D.C. (as of May 2022). Under federal law, however, cannabis is still illegal. [122] Medical cannabis was legalized in Portugal in 2018. [71] On August 23, 2006, Law No. 11.343 Nova Lei Antidrogas was adopted, which entered into force on October 6, 2006. This new law departs from the principle of zero tolerance. Instead of following a path based on the American system (escola americana) and criminalising illicit drug users, as has been the case up to now, we are taking a path more in line with European principles.In Spain, the cultivation and consumption of cannabis is tolerated in cannabis social clubs, i.e. members are allowed to grow cannabis together and consume it in clubs, but not to pass it on to foreigners. Since cannabis is still illegal under federal law, it cannot cross a state border – cannabis sold in a state must have been grown and processed there. [10] In North Korea, marijuana and hashish are classified as illicit drugs like heroin and cocaine.