Cannabis consumption becomes legal in Germany from April 1st . This is what was established by the German Parliament with a law passed with the "yes" of the SPD, greens and liberals in government (and the left in opposition) after a heated debate on the pros and cons of easier access to narcotics .

"A historic day", the supporters of the law in Parliament defined it, a turning point in the "policy of containment" and regulation of drugs .

Under the new legislation, which will make Germany the third country in Europe to legalize the drug for personal use , cannabis will be removed from the official list of prohibited substances . Adults will be able to have 25 grams at a time .

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said he expected to take back the market from drug dealers who supply many of the 7 million Germans who are estimated to regularly use cannabis .

The government also stated that many users rely on the drug for therapeutic reasons and that the new law will also improve the quality of cannabis consumed by a growing number of young people.

“The protection of children and young people is at the heart of the objectives of this law ,” Lauterbach said before the vote. “Over the last decade, consumption by children and young people has increased steadily.”

(Unioneonline/vl)