No Ganja, Just Beer Allowed At Oktoberfest Despite Cannabis Legalization, Officials Argue Youth Protection

Bavaria, a state in the southeast of Germany has banned cannabis consumption at the most popular beer festival in the world, Oktoberfest. 

The government confirmed the ban on Tuesday, adding that it is also prohibiting marijuana consumption at public events and inside beer gardens, writes the Associated Press.

The news comes nearly three weeks after marijuana became legal in Germany making it the third country in the European Union to legalize adult-use cannabis after Malta and Luxembourg. Under this first pillar of cannabis legalization, adults over 18 can legally possess up to 25 grams of dried cannabis flower and cultivate up to three marijuana plants at home.

"Our aim is to limit cannabis consumption in public spaces," said Bavarian Health Minister Judith Gerlach. "That is important for health protection and especially for protecting children and young people."

Bavaria's state government explained that consumers are not allowed to use marijuana near minors and children and young people usually attend this large, popular event.

Goal Was To Reduce Cannabis Use

Earlier this week, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke with students in Shanghai where he touched on the topic of marijuana legalization, and said that the goal behind the reform was to lower cannabis consumption not encourage it.

"We don't want more people to consume cannabis, we want fewer people to consume cannabis, we want there to be more public education about it," Scholz said. "The answer is very simple: don't smoke. I'll be 66 this year and I've never smoked cannabis."

Bavaria's local authorities are also allowed to ban weed use in public spaces like outdoor swimming pools and leisure parks such as Munich's Englischer Garten. The government wants to prohibit weed smoking in designated smoking rooms like outdoor areas in restaurants and cafes, and it is expected that the ban will also extend to the heating and vaporization of marijuana and marijuana products, a German news agency dpa reported.

Under the law, starting July 1, adults can also join not-for-profit social clubs where they can buy up to 25 grams of cannabis, with a cap of 50 grams per month. That cap is 30 grams for members under 21 years old.

The “second pillar” is planned for after the decriminalization bill, and would set up municipal five-year pilot programs for state-controlled marijuana to be sold in licensed shops.

 Now read: Another Cannabis Pioneer Expands In Germany Via Acquisition As Experts Say ‘There’s No Stepping Back’ From Legalization Wave

Photo: Benzinga edit with images by Gordon Johnson en Pixabay and Heribert Pohl via Wikimedia Commons