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Germany: Thousands celebrate new cannabis law in Berlin

April 20, 2024

Bands played as revelers gathered at the Brandenburg Gate for a legal cannabis "Smoke-In" on Saturday. Separately, Deutsche Bahn announced a ban on cannabis consumption at train stations despite legalization.

https://p.dw.com/p/4f0oT
A cloud hangs over happy participants at Berlin's 2024 4/20 'Smoke-In' at the Brandenburg Gate
Police put the number of participants at Saturday's 4/20 'Smoke-In' at around 4,000Image: Liesa Johannssen/REUTERS

Berlin police say some 4,000 people gathered at the German capital's landmark Brandenburg Gate on Saturday for a "Smoke-In" celebrating the recent legalization of cannabis in the country.

The day featured concert performances and speeches by activists.

Enjoying their now decriminalized drug of choice, some in the crowd held signs reading, "Not everyone wants to drink," and speakers lauded the move away from prohibition.

Buzzkill, Deutsche Bahn

Although it is now legal to consume weed in Germany, Deutsche Bahn (DB) on Saturday announced that the smoking of hashish and cannabis would be prohibited at train stations across the country.

Earlier this month, it became legal for adults in Germany to carry up to 25 grams of cannabis and cultivate up to three marijuana plants at home.

Despite the fact that DB generally maintains designated cigarette- and cigar-smoking areas on its platforms, it said, "Based on the legal ban on daytime cannabis consumption in pedestrian zones and in the vicinity of schools and playgrounds, we would like to safeguard all our passengers at our stations, especially children and young people."

The company said it would have the new rules in place within the next month.

April 20, or 4/20 as written in the US [spoken: four-twenty], has become an international day of cannabis celebration and activism. The number stems from anecdotes tied to the origins of US cannabis culture in the 1960s and '70s.  

Germany partially legalizes cannabis

js/lo (dpa, epd)

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