On June 6, the German Bundestag (German federal parliament) voted to adjust the currently existing adult-use cannabis law, including changes to restrictions for driving and cannabis club associations.
The driving changes were made by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, which amended the country’s Road Traffic Act. The change included a new maximum THC blood content, which is now set at 3.5 nanograms per milliliter. Previously, the limit was set at one nanogram per milliliter. According to DW.com, this was done to create a restriction that is similar to the maximum alcohol blood content limit, which in Germany is 20 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood.
Prior to adopting this amendment, Bundestag member Kirsten Kappert-Gonther posted online about the thought behind the decision. “Today we are deciding on changes to the #Cannabis law. This was agreed with the Federal Council to prevent a blockade. The THC limit in road traffic will be set at 3.5ng/ml. This is how we create security and prevent #criminalization through the back door,” Kappert-Gonther said on June 6. “To curb the black market, competitive, legal and safe offers are needed. #CannabisClubs are essential for this. They support #health and #youth protection.”
The first time that a person is found in violation of the THC blood content maximum, they will be banned from driving for one month and receive a €500 fine. If violations continue, the fine is increased to €1,000 and individuals will receive a two-year ban on driving.
Currently, the method of testing a driver’s impairment is done through a saliva test. If a driver appears to be impaired, even if a saliva test is negative, they will be instructed to take a blood test.
Another recent amendment includes changes to rules for cultivation. Starting next month, cooperatives, or clubs, will be allowed to …
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Author: Nicole Potter / High Times
