Germany's centre-left coalition government has approved a proposal to legalise adult cannabis use, advancing a measure that still requires a parliamentary vote before it can become law.
If passed, the legislation would permit adults to carry up to 25 grams of cannabis, cultivate as many as three plants at home, and become members of non-profit cannabis clubs capped at 500 members each.
All advertising would be prohibited, and exclusion zones would be established around schools, playgrounds and sports facilities.
Health minister Karl Lauterbach called the proposal "an important turning point in our drug policy," telling reporters in Berlin: “We have rising, problematic consumption, we couldn’t simply allow this to go on.”
Despite cabinet approval, conservative politicians in Germany have continued to voice strong opposition to the measure. The government had previously scaled back its plans following lengthy negotiations with the European Commission.
