The German government has approved a draft law legalizing the purchase and possession of small amounts of cannabis for recreational use, despite pushback from opposition politicians and judges.

The bill, which still needs to be approved by parliament, would let adults possess up to 25 grams (0.9 ounces) of cannabis and grow up to three plants for personal use.

People will also be allowed to join non-profit "cannabis clubs" of up to 500 members where the drug can be legally grown and bought.

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach called the draft law "a turning point" in Germany's attitude towards cannabis.

The more relaxed approach would mean a crackdown on the black market and drug-related crime, ease pressure on law enforcement and allow for safer consumption, he said in a statement.

Minors will still be banned from using the drug, and the government will launch a campaign warning of the health risks for young people especially, he added.

"Nobody should misunderstand the law. Cannabis use will be legalized. But it's still dangerous," Lauterbach said.

The proposed legislation is a flagship project of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's three-party coalition and would leave Germany with one of the most liberal cannabis policies in Europe.

But the draft law is less ambitious than what was originally envisioned.

Plans to allow the widespread sale of cannabis in licensed stores were dropped in April after the European Commission raised concerns.

'Irresponsible'

Agriculture Minister Cem Ozdemir said the plan from Germany's coalition government was "a significant step towards a progressive, realistic drug policy."

However, conservative politicians remained unconvinced.

Bavaria's regional health minister Klaus Holetschek from the opposition, center-right CDU party called the plans "irresponsible" and said examples from abroad had shown that liberalization does little to curb the black market.

Decriminalizing the use of cannabis also "blatantly endangered" people aged 18 to 21, he said, pointing to the health risks of cannabis consumption on still-developing brains.

The German Judges Association meanwhile said the legislation would create more red tape and add more stress to the judicial system, rather than relieving it.

The "small-scale law" would lead to "many new disputes and proceedings before the courts," it said.

If the bill goes through, the government aims to review the societal impact of the new legislation after four years.

It also said it plans to follow up with a second phase that would involve trialing the production and sale of cannabis in specialized stores under government licences.

With the planned legislation, Germany will be joining just a few European countries that have relaxed rules around cannabis use.

Malta became the first European Union member to legalize recreational cannabis in 2021, while the Netherlands has tolerated the sale and use of cannabis in so-called coffee shops since the 1970s.

Uruguay became the first country in the world to legalize the production, distribution and consumption of marijuana in 2013.

In the U.S., dozens of states including California have changed their laws in the past decade to allow people to take the drug recreationally. 

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