Cannabis coffee shops given red light in Berlin
The Federal Institute of Pharmaceuticals halted plans to introduce legal cannabis establishments in the city
Monday, October 5, 2015
The Federal Institute of Pharmaceuticals (BfArM) has rejected plans for legal cannabis sales in Berlin's Kreuzberg-Friedrichshain district. The borough had submitted plans for four "specialist cannabis shops" back in June. It was hoped that opening the shops would diminish illegal trade in the drug, reducing its availability to teens and young people and lessening the overall health risk for consumers. Kreuzberg-Friedrichshain has already launched legal action to contest the decision. (See also: Berlin district loses marijuana legalization bid)