Austria has announced plans to enhance police checks near its border with Germany following Germany's recent legalization of limited amounts of cannabis for recreational use. The move comes as a measure to prevent any potential cross-border trade of marijuana.
Germany's new legislation, which came into effect on Monday, permits adults to possess up to 25 grams of marijuana for recreational purposes and allows individuals to cultivate up to three plants for personal use. Additionally, starting July 1, German residents aged 18 and above will be able to join nonprofit cannabis-growing clubs to purchase marijuana.
European countries have varying regulations regarding cannabis, with most maintaining its illegality for recreational purposes. In contrast to Germany, Austria has affirmed that it will not be following suit in legalizing cannabis for recreational use.
The Austrian Interior Minister, Gerhard Karner, emphasized the importance of road safety in light of the new German legislation. He stated that intensified police checks, particularly in border areas, will target individuals in possession of addictive substances and drivers under the influence of drugs. The primary objective of these measures is to safeguard all road users from potential risks.
The Interior Ministry disclosed that plain-clothes police officers and specialized personnel from regional transport departments, trained to identify signs of drug impairment, will be deployed to enforce the enhanced checks effectively.
