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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

Air Canada suspends JFK flights amid soaring fuel costs linked to Iran conflict

Air Canada announced on Friday that it will suspend its flights from Montreal and Toronto to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport from June through late October, citing rising jet fuel costs driven by the conflict involving Iran.

“Since the beginning of the conflict with Iran, some routes and less profitable flights have become economically unviable, so we are making adjustments accordingly,” the airline said in a statement.

Despite the suspension, the carrier confirmed it will continue operating 34 daily flights from six Canadian cities to New York’s LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.

Air Canada expects to resume its JFK operations after October 25.

Meanwhile, Iran announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz amid a temporary ceasefire in the region. However, jet fuel shortages could persist even if the truce holds.

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Fuel accounts for between 25% and 30% of operating costs for most airlines, and carriers worldwide have responded to the crisis by raising fares and suspending select routes due to safety and profitability concerns.

International

UK braces for potential CO₂ shortage amid Middle East tensions

The government of United Kingdom is preparing contingency measures amid fears of a potential shortage of carbon dioxide (CO₂), which could impact the agri-food industry if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, The Times reported on Thursday.

According to the newspaper, officials assessed this scenario during a recent crisis meeting aimed at evaluating the consequences of a prolonged conflict, triggered on February 28 by joint attacks from United States and Israel against Iran.

Under this scenario, CO₂ supplies—primarily a byproduct of fertilizer production using natural gas—could fall by up to 18%, affecting multiple sectors including agriculture and food production.

The gas is widely used in the slaughter of pigs and poultry, as well as in extending the shelf life of packaged foods. Breweries could also face disruptions due to reduced availability.

“I don’t want to comment on a leak, but now that the information is out there, I hope people feel reassured knowing we are working on it,” said Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, in remarks to Sky News.

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While a drop in CO₂ supply is not expected to cause major shortages in supermarkets, it could limit product variety, The Times noted, citing access to internal government documents.

To mitigate the impact, authorities are considering prioritizing CO₂ supply for critical sectors such as healthcare and civil nuclear energy, where it is used in cooling systems for blood reserves, organs, vaccines, and electricity generation. The government may also request domestic producers to increase output.

Central America

El Salvador and Paraguay approve 2026–2028 cooperation program

The governments of El Salvador and Paraguay approved the 2026–2028 Cooperation Program, which includes six joint development projects, according to Salvadoran Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Adriana Mira.

Mira stated that El Salvador will act as the “main provider of cooperation,” contributing five initiatives focused on road infrastructure, tourism, and local development. She also noted that one of the projects will be led by the Paraguayan side, although no further details were disclosed.

The agreement was reached during the Second Meeting of the Joint Commission on Technical and Scientific Cooperation between both countries.

According to Paraguay’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the First Meeting of the Political Consultation and Bilateral Coordination Mechanism was also held, with the participation of Vice Minister Víctor Verdún.

In an official statement, the Paraguayan government reported that both delegations agreed to identify mechanisms to promote competitiveness, economic growth, and market access. They also committed to signing agreements related to air transport cooperation.