Bundesrat makes another statement
Even if the Federal Council can no longer stop the Cannabis Law, it will still be heard and can comment on it again.
Chancellor and ministers sign
After the law has been passed by the Bundestag and Bundesrat, it is printed and presented to the Federal Chancellor and the relevant minister for signature – in this case, the Federal Minister of Health, Prof. Karl Lauterbach.
Federal President reviews
The next step is for the law to be presented to the Federal President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier. His task is to check whether it has been passed in accordance with the constitution and does not obviously violate the Basic Law. He then signs it and forwards it to the Federal Law Gazette (“Bundesgesetzblatt“).
Publication in the Federal Law Gazette
The law is promulgated upon publication in the Federal Law Gazette (“Bundesgesetzblatt“). It will automatically apply from the 14th day after publication in the Federal Law Gazette, unless a different date is specified for its entry into force.
Cannabis decriminalized
The Pillar 1 law comes into force. The private possession and consumption of cannabis is legal within certain limits, including home cultivation and cannabis clubs.
Draft for second pillar
A draft law for the second pillar is to be presented by the end of the year. It deals with the planned model regions to test a more comprehensive legalization.
Submission to the EU Commission
The German government may have to submit the draft for this second pillar to the EU Commission for the official notification procedure. A response is expected three to six months later.
Cannabis Clubs open
Now that cannabis has been legalized for private use under certain conditions since April 1, 2024, the "cultivation associations", better known as cannabis clubs, are following suit.
Law for second pillar
The EU Commission's feedback is incorporated into a draft law for the “model regions“.
Pillar 2 begins
The model projects of the "second pillar" could start. The main question is whether and how quickly the necessary legislation will be passed. If notification to the EU is required, this is likely to delay the project. Once the projects have started, interim results will be presented regularly during the five-year period.
New federal government takes office
The outcome of the federal elections in September will determine whether a more comprehensive legalization of cannabis will be pursued or put on hold. The results of the model projects (Pillar 2) could help to make a new start.
Success of the law under review
After four years, a review will be conducted to determine whether the law has met expectations.
End of the model projects
If the cannabis legalization pilot projects begin in 2024, they would continue until 2029 under current plans.
