Germany has approved a law allowing motorists to smoke cannabis before driving, as long as their blood THC levels remain below 3.5 nanograms per milliliter. The Bundestag’s amendment to partially legalized cannabis use, effective April 1, includes strict penalties for those exceeding the limit or combining cannabis with alcohol.
Legal limits and penalties
Drivers exceeding the THC limit face a $540 (€500) fine and a one-month driving ban. Additionally, consuming both cannabis and alcohol incurs a higher fine of $1,080. Novice drivers, under 21 or with less than two years of driving experience, are completely prohibited from cannabis use.
Opposition’s response
The opposition CDU criticized the new law, calling it a “black day for transport safety.” CDU MP Florian Müller argued that equating cannabis with alcohol is dangerous due to their different effects on the body. The CDU believes the government’s measures send a disastrous signal regarding road safety.