The German health ministry is hosting talks this week with stakeholders on the legalization of adult-use cannabis, with the aim of presenting a strategy to do so in the fall. As Germany is getting ready to roll, here's what you need to know.
Who will be allowed to sell it?
Currently, only pharmacies can sell medical cannabis in Germany — and according to them, that shouldn't change for adult-use cannabis. "If cannabis is to be sold in pharmacies for consumption purposes, then it should only be sold in pharmacies," argued the Federal Association of German Pharmacists in a written statement. "With different distribution channels, it will be difficult to enforce uniform, high consumer-protection standards."
Who will be able to buy it?
The coalition agreement makes it quite clear that cannabis is not for kids or teenagers. "Only adults should have access to cannabis stores," said Kirsten Kappert-Gonther, vice chair of the health committee in parliament. "Minimum distances from schools and youth centers should be maintained" to protect minors, she added.
How will it be regulated?
To ensure that the marijuana sold in Germany is safe, not only do there need to be trusted vendors and suppliers, but the strains also need to be regulated. Cannabis contains over 400 substances, the two most commonly known ones are THC and CBD. Specifically, THC is responsible for the intoxicating effect of cannabis and can vary greatly between strains.
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