Legalization of cannabis: Germany takes the plunge, an experiment in two French municipalities ?

Recreational cannabis became legal in Germany this Monday, April 1, 2024. An approach that is attracting two French cities with a view to potential experimentation.

This Monday, April 1, 2024, Germany became the third country in the European Union after Malta in 2021 and Luxembourg in 2023. authorize the consumption of cannabis for recreational use. Possession of 25 grams of dried cannabis is now authorized in public places, in the same way as culture in public places. home, until 'à 50 grams and three plants per adult. A practice completely banned in France, however, certain municipalities wish to become experimental territories in this area. 

Strasbourg (Bas-Rhin) and Bègles (Gironde) seduced

This German approach to the subject of cannabis, diametrically opposed to the that of France, is notably shared by the environmentalist mayor of Strasbourg, Jeanne Barseghian, who calls for the establishment of an "experimentation" local. It notably highlights the "common living area" of its territory, between French and Germans and "permanent flows" between the two countries via the municipality of Strasbourg. For example, the daily journeys of cross-border workers.

"The fact that a European country like Germany, attached to &agrav; public order and health The public decision to change its legislation clearly shows that a purely repressive policy did not seem right to it. satisfactory or effective. À in my opinion, çthis must provide food for thought" she explains in the columns of 20 Minutes. It envisages extremely supervised experimentation and a framework that is “much less permissive than what can be observed in the Netherlands. There will be no coffee shop" does she temper.

The mayor of Strasbourg is not the only one defend this vision of cannabis consumption. À Bègles (Gironde), the ecologist mayor Clément Rossignol-Puech "has been working for a year to define the contours of an exp' local variation of regulated legislation. It could make it possible to "reduce the risks associated with consumption by offering known products and less harmful consumption patterns, increasing prevention among the entire population, fighting against trafficking and violence associated with s" he confides to 20 Minutes. In particular, he sent a letter to this effect à Emmanuel Macron at the start of 2023 based on a report from the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (Cese).