German lawmakers are moving closer to legalizing marijuana

Lawmakers in Germany approved the partial legalization of cannabis on Friday, moving the country a step closer to becoming one of the few European countries – and by far the largest – to fully legalize limited amounts of the drug for recreational use.

“By legalizing it we are taking cannabis out of the taboo zone,” Karl Lauterbach, who as Health Minister is largely responsible for the law, said on public television before the vote, which ultimately was 407 votes in favor to 226 against.

The proposal must be approved by the Federal Council next month.

Several other European countries, perhaps most notably the Netherlands, tolerate cannabis use, but legalization is rare: within the European Union, only Malta and Luxembourg have gone this far.

If the law is passed by the Federal Council and signed by the President, it will be rolled out in two steps. From April, all adults may bring a maximum of 25 grams, possess a maximum of 50 grams and grow a maximum of three adult plants for private use. Then in July, adults in Germany will be allowed to form social clubs that can produce cannabis plants for their members.

Critics have objected to the new law because it could normalize the drug and make it easier for minors to obtain it. To prevent this, the measure limits the carrying and use of the drug to people over 18 years of age and prohibits the consumption of the drug near schools or other places where young people gather.

States have warned that legalization would place an additional burden on traffic police, who expect an increase in the number of people driving under the influence of the drug on German roads.