At the hemp fair “Mary Jane” in the Arena Berlin there is everything made from cannabis – and not everything is legal in Germany so far Photo: Christian Lohse
By Isabel Pancake
This year there are more exhibitors than ever: at the hemp fair “Mary Jane” in Berlin-Treptow (23rd to 25th June). Interest in marijuana is growing – calls for rapid legalization are growing louder.
The possession and cultivation of cannabis is still punishable in Germany. The federal government wants to allow the possession and purchase of up to 25 grams of hemp by the end of the year – from the age of 18.
This time there are more exhibitors than ever at the hemp fair – the interest is huge Photo: Christian Lohse
In the interest of the exhibitors at the hemp fair. “Sales here are actually not allowed, but that happens at the fair in close consultation with the police. Here you can feel for three days how legalization will feel,” says Henri Plottke (38) from the German Hemp Association.
Gummy bears with CBD
At the stands in the Arena Berlin there is everything with hemp: ice cream, water, gummy bears. After three gummy bears with CBD you should be relaxed. Unlike THC, however, CBD has no intoxicating effect.
Nikki (34) from Irie Water in the Netherlands sells water additives made from hemp Photo: christian lohse
If you want to get a little high, you can try the water additive from “Irie Water” from the Netherlands – it does not exceed the legal limit of 20 milligrams of THC.
Cannabis as a medicine
However, not everyone uses cannabis as a drug. For Karl K. (57) from the Cannabis Patients’ Association, hemp is a medicine. He suffers from a post-traumatic experience, says to BZ: “I vape every morning. As a result, I can finally get my daily routine back to normal.” He is currently doing this illegally – he would rather buy cannabis from a pharmacy.
However, legalization is still controversial: Opponents warn of psychoses, which the drug can trigger in rare cases.