As of April 1, it is now legal to smoke weed in public in Germany, as long as you are not doing it near a school or playground.
But unlike in other countries that have decriminalized the consumption and possession of marijuana, the new rules do not foresee commercial cannabis shops in the near future.
Instead, people can grow up to three plants at home or join non-profit so-called cannabis clubs which will be allowed to grow weed for up to 500 adult members. Each member can be supplied with a maximum of 50g per month.
While hundreds of such weed cultivation clubs are currently in the process of being formed across the country, some associations are hesitant due to the initial financial and bureaucratic hurdles involved. Critics have also argued that most stoners are unlikely to join a club, as buying weed from a dealer remains the more convenient option.
In one of the newest gripping narratives from us at the dpa trends & features desk, we speak to one dedicated Berlin cannabis activist about the challenges of setting up one such weed club. Each feature comes illustrated with high-quality photos ready for publication online or in print.
Do get in touch if you have any questions,
Elena Radwan
dpa trends & features
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