2024-07-12 10:28:42
The Federal Council has introduced new regulations for the consumption of cannabis while driving. The border regulations are based on the restrictions for alcohol.
New regulations and fines are coming for drivers who use cannabis while driving. The Federal Council passed a law passed by the Bundestag that sets a limit of 3.5 nanograms per milliliter of blood for the intoxicating substance THC – similar to the 0.5 per mille limit for alcohol.
There will be stricter rules for novice drivers and those who consume a mixture of cannabis and alcohol. The new regulations will come into force after the law is announced, which is likely to happen this summer.
Now that smoking weed and private cannabis cultivation have been legal for adults since April 1st, with many regulations, accompanying traffic regulations are now being introduced. Up until now, the strict line has been that consequences can be threatened even if tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is detected. A value of 1 nanogram has been established in case law.
At the traffic court day, however, experts spoke out in favor of an “appropriate” increase as early as 2022. This is because it is so low that many people would be sanctioned for whom a reduction in driving safety cannot be justified.
In future, the law will apply: Anyone who intentionally or negligently drives with 3.5 nanograms of THC or more will generally risk a fine of 500 euros and a one-month driving ban. If alcohol is also consumed, the fine will generally be 1,000 euros. For new drivers, the same applies as for alcohol: cannabis will be banned during the two-year probationary period and for those under 21 – so the limit of 3.5 nanograms will not apply. Violations will generally result in a fine of 250 euros.