According to a draft law from which the “Augsburger Allgemeine” quoted on Saturday, the coalition wants to prevent the creation of commercial structures during cultivation. For example, several cultivation associations should not be able to operate plantations in the same place or in the same building. Despite approval, it will not be allowed to smoke weed at train stations or on platforms in Germany in the future.
For enforcement purposes, the authorities should be given more freedom in controls and greater discretion to prohibit the approval of cultivation areas: “The responsible authority can refuse permission if the cultivation areas or greenhouses of the cultivation association are in a structural connection with or in the immediate vicinity of “There are cultivation areas or greenhouses of other cultivation associations,” the newspaper quoted from the draft.
Conflicts with EU law
The German government also wants to prevent the emergence of further business models related to the cultivation of cannabis. Growing associations should be prohibited from commissioning one provider to provide multiple services. This is intended to prevent companies from specializing in package solutions for growing cannabis.
The draft law therefore refers to conflicts with EU law that would threaten large and possibly commercially used plantations. By giving the authorities more powers to take action against possible rule violations, the government also wants to accommodate those countries that sharply criticize the cannabis law.
Partial legalization since April
A law for the partial legalization of cannabis has been in force in Germany since April 1st. Possession and controlled cultivation for private use are permitted, but with numerous restrictions. Consumption in public spaces is permitted to a limited extent – in the immediate presence of minors and near schools, daycare centers and sports facilities, for example, it is prohibited.
Despite the general approval, Deutsche Bahn (DB) prohibits smoking weed in train stations and on platforms. The house rules will be changed accordingly and ban posters will be put up starting next week, the newspaper “Bild am Sonntag” reported, citing a railway spokeswoman. Tobacco can still be smoked in designated areas at train stations.
“Derived from the legal ban on cannabis consumption during the day in pedestrian zones or around schools and playgrounds, we want to protect our travelers, especially children and young people, at our train stations,” said the spokeswoman for “Bild am Sonntag”. “That’s why we will generally prohibit the consumption of cannabis in our train stations.” The ban does not affect the consumption of cannabis for medical reasons, which was permitted even before its release. The adjustment of the house rules should be completed in four weeks. From June 1st, the DB wants to pursue violations.
