International
Germany launches the partial legalization of cannabis between celebrations and criticism
The law that partially legalizes the use and recreational consumption of cannabis in Germany entered into force today after difficult debates within the political, police and health, which hundreds of people took advantage of to meet in Berlin and celebrate – smoking marijuana – the measure, criticized by some doctors and part of the opposition.
About 1,500 Berliners gathered around midnight in front of the Brandenburg Gate along with a one-meter-high model of a hemp leaf and posters on which you could read slots such as “precaution, smokers” or “we don’t want to be criminals.”
More actions of this type are expected this Easter Monday in other places throughout the country.
“I think the legalization of cannabis is right and arrives late. In my opinion, it is important to allow the use of cannabis, especially if its effects are compared with those of alcohol consumption. I also hope that decriminalization will reduce the desire for consumption among young people,” Christian, a native of Hamburg, told EFE.
From today, people over 18 years of age will be able to grow a maximum of three cannabis plants at home for self-consumption or have 50 grams of dried flowers in their private space. 25 grams will be allowed in the public space.
Smoking is prohibited in playgrounds, schools, sports facilities, including soccer stadiums, and facilities for children and young people, and in sight of them. It will also not be possible to consume cannabis between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. in pedestrian areas.
From July 1, it will be legal to create clubs with up to 500 members who will be able to grow cannabis collectively and non-commercially and exchange it between them for private consumption.
Distribution and sale are still prohibited, as is driving a motor vehicle under the influence of the drug.
There is no legal limit for cannabis behind the wheel as with alcohol. Given the legal vacuum, a commission of experts proposed a maximum concentration of 3.5 nanograms per milliliter of blood serum for the active ingredient THC.
Anyone who exceeds the grams allowed for personal use faces penalties of up to 30,000 euros or in the worst case prison sentences.
From the perspective of those who oppose legalization, the limit of cannabis possession allowed by law is too high.
The German Medical Association considers that 50 grams per month “corresponds to high-risk consumption and leads to cannabis-related disorders.”
The Ministry of Health argues that legal cannabis must also be available in larger quantities if the illegal black market is to be undermined.
The Minister of Justice, Marco Buschmann, also argues that the legalization will ease the pressure on justice and the police in the medium term. Currently, more than 100,000 criminal proceedings are open against cannabis users.
The road to the partial legalization of cannabis was not easy in the Central European country, where the main opposition party, the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has already said that it will reverse the law if it reaches the Government.
The measure, proposed by the Minister of Health, Karl Lauterbach, in April of last year, obtained – in a strongly modified version – on February 23 the approval of the Lower House, with the vote in favor of the government coalition of social democrats, greens and liberals, as well as the left.
But the measure was about to derail in the Upper House, in which the governments of the 16 federal states are represented and where several of them had shown their opposition.
A commitment offered by Lauterbach at the last minute to regularly introduce controls in cannabis clubs and the promise of federal support for prevention measures made it possible to carry out the measure on March 22.
Meanwhile, the Government Commissioner for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Burkhard Blienert, has already asked that a decision now also be made on the pilot projects for the cannabis trade.
“It’s the only way to ensure that occasional consumers don’t have to go to camels either,” he says.
Initially the Government also wanted to allow the sale of cannabis in stores with a state license, but it ruled out the idea after the concerns expressed by the European Commission
International
Claudia Sheinbaum: Operation Against ‘El Mencho’ Was Based on Pending Arrest Warrants
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum on Wednesday rejected claims that the military operation that resulted in the death of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was carried out under pressure from the United States government.
Sheinbaum explained that the deployment of federal forces was aimed at executing outstanding arrest warrants against Oseguera Cervantes, who was considered one of the most wanted criminals in both Mexico and the United States.
“That was not the objective (to ease pressure from the United States). It is very important, and I want to repeat it. This individual had an arrest warrant, or several,” Sheinbaum said, referring to the operation conducted on February 22.
According to the president, the initial goal was to capture Oseguera Cervantes, but military forces responded after coming under attack during the intervention.
“The operation was to detain him. The problem is that they were attacked — the Secretariat of National Defense — and they responded at that moment,” she said.
The president insisted that the action was not carried out in response to external demands, although she acknowledged intelligence cooperation with the United States.
“It was not done in any way because of pressure from the United States, not at all. Of course, there was intelligence information from the United States that was used specifically,” she concluded.
International
Spain Denies Any Agreement to Cooperate with U.S. Military in Iran Operations
Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares on Wednesday firmly denied that Madrid has agreed to cooperate with the U.S. military in operations against Iran, contradicting statements made minutes earlier by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
“I categorically deny it,” Albares said in a radio interview cited by EFE. “The position of the Spanish government regarding the war in the Middle East, the bombings in Iran, and the use of our bases has not changed by a single comma.”
Earlier in the day, Leavitt told reporters that Spain had “agreed to cooperate with the United States military in recent hours,” following President Donald Trump’s threat to impose a trade embargo on Madrid. Trump had warned of economic measures after Spain reportedly refused to allow the Pentagon to use facilities at Spanish bases for operations related to Iran.
“I have no idea what that could be referring to or where it could be coming from,” Albares said, insisting that Spain’s position “has not changed at all” and therefore “remains absolutely unchanged.” He added that he had “no desire” and “almost no time” to speculate about the White House spokesperson’s remarks.
Albares reiterated Spain’s “No to war” stance, which he said had been clearly and forcefully expressed by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in an institutional address. According to the foreign minister, that position has been supported by “many European colleagues.”
International
White House Says Spain Agrees to Cooperate with U.S. Military After Trump Threatens Trade Embargo
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday that Spain has agreed “in recent hours” to cooperate with the U.S. military, following President Donald Trump’s threat to impose a trade embargo on Madrid.
Trump had warned of potential commercial measures after Spain reportedly refused to allow the Pentagon to use facilities at Spanish military bases for operations related to Iran.
“With respect to Spain, I think you heard the president’s message yesterday loud and clear, and I understand that in recent hours they have agreed to cooperate with the United States military,” Leavitt said during a press briefing.
She added that the U.S. military is currently coordinating with its counterparts in Spain. However, the president expects broader support.
“The president expects that all of Europe, all of our European allies, of course, will cooperate in this important mission — not only for the United States, but also for Europe,” Leavitt said.
Her remarks came in response to questions about Spain’s position and its role as a U.S. ally amid rising tensions surrounding operations involving Iran.
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