Germany Legalizes , Recreational Use of Cannabis.<br />German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government announced the pledge to legalize cannabis on Oct. 26.<br />Possession of up to 20 to 30 grams of weed in Germany will also be legalized.<br />Once complete, the measures will make Germany one of the first European nations in which the recreational use of marijuana is legal.<br />German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach did not indicate a specific timeline for the legislation.<br />Medically prescribed cannabis has been legal in Germany since 2017.<br />By adding a consumption tax to the purchase of marijuana, .<br />... Germany could potentially see an increase of nearly $4.7 billion in annual taxes.<br />Cannabis-related initiatives, including education and preventative measures, could also lead to the creation of nearly 27,000 new jobs.<br />Surveys reveal that approximately four million people in Germany used marijuana in 2021.<br />German lawmakers say that legalization will put a significant squeeze on the black market.<br />Because too restrictive conditions for the legal market only promote the black market for particularly strong cannabis, Kirsten Kappert-Gonther, Lawmaker, via Reuters.<br />Critics of the plan call it "irresponsible.".<br />Consumption entails significant and sometimes irreversible health and social risks -, Klaus Holetschek, Bavarian Health Minister, <br />via Reuters.<br />... and any form of trivialization is completely irresponsible, Klaus Holetschek, Bavarian Health Minister, <br />via Reuters
