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Crime

German drug czar pushes for uniform cannabis laws

December 17, 2019

Cannabis is illegal in Germany, but each state has different regulations on how much is allowed for personal possession. The drug commissioner wants that to change.

https://p.dw.com/p/3Uw5k
Cannabis
Image: Getty Images/AFP/M. Medina

Germany's drug commissioner on Tuesday called for a nationwide standard for the amount of cannabis allowed for personal possession.

Daniela Ludwig told the Funke Media Group that it is "difficult" when each German state has different regulations.  

Read more5 facts about cannabis laws in Germany

Cannabis is illegal in Germany, but punishment for private consumption is relatively minor. A person in possession of only "a small amount" of the drug can, according to the law, avoid prosecution.

In Hamburg, a small amount is six grams, while in Berlin 15 grams are allowed.

Infographic showing cannabis possession allowed by state

"This naturally attracts people to the city who want to use drugs," said Ludwig, referring to the capital. But "cannabis tourism" was not the kind of tourism that "Berlin had envisaged," she added.

Read moreAngela Merkel's party mulls legalizing cannabis in Germany

Ludwig recently visited Berlin's Görlitzer Park, which is notorious for drug dealing.

A member of the CSU — the Bavarian sister party of Chancellor Angela Merkel's CDU — Ludwig has been in her current role for three months and has expressed a desire to soften Germany's stance on cannabis.

cw/rt (dpa, KNA)

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