Cannabis leaves, meter-long joints, and banners were once again on display in the center of Berlin on Saturday, August 8. During the annual Hanfparade, cannabis activists demonstrated for further legalization. Germany already relaxed its cannabis laws in 2024, but according to the organizers, the current system is merely an interim step.
From Alexanderplatz to the government center
The demonstration began around noon at Alexanderplatz. The procession then moved through the center of Berlin towards the German government district. The route passed the Reichstag and the Federal Ministry of Health, among other landmarks.
According to initial police figures, approximately 200 participants gathered at the start. Up to 4.000 demonstrators had been anticipated beforehand. The Hanfparade has existed since 1997 and is considered Germany's longest-running nationwide cannabis demonstration.
Legalization does not go far enough for activists.
Since April 2024, adults in Germany have been permitted to possess cannabis and grow plants at home under certain conditions. Non-commercial growers' associations are also allowed. However, a regular commercial market with cannabis shops like in Canada does not exist.
For the organizers of the Hanfparade, the reform is therefore incomplete. They want cannabis to eventually be fully legalized as a recreational drug, a medicine, and an industrial raw material. They also want to get rid of the stigma that still surrounds hemp and cannabis.
'Gerecht, Gesund, Genießen'
This year's edition bears the motto 'Gerecht! Gesund! Genießen!', loosely translated: honest, healthy, and enjoy. In addition to legalization, the emphasis is on education. According to the organization, there is still a lot of incorrect or incomplete information regarding recreational cannabis, medicinal applications, and industrial hemp.
Thus, the parade is not only a protest against the current legislation, but also a call to the German government to further expand the reforms from 2024.
Ready to see how Snowflake works?
Two years after partial legalization, the German cannabis debate is clearly not over yet. The Hanfparade shows that a part of the cannabis sector and users expect further reforms. The question now is whether Germany will ultimately move towards full regulation, or whether the current partial legalization remains the end station for the time being.
Source: reutersconnect.com
