News
Germany to legalise cannabis from Monday
The authority of Germany is set to partially legalise cannabis from Monday, implementing a flagship pledge of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition government.
However, access to the drug will not be straightforward.
Here is a run-down of the new rules:
Home cultivation will also be allowed, with a limit of up to three plants per adult and 50 grams of dried cannabis.
However, it will remain prohibited to smoke the drug within a 100-metre radius of schools, kindergartens, playgrounds and public sports facilities.
Smoking will also be banned in pedestrian zones between 7:00 am and 8:00 pm.
– ‘Cannabis clubs’ –
From July 1, Germany is planning to set up regulated cannabis cultivation associations to enable people to obtain the drug legally.
These so-called cannabis clubs will have up to 500 members each and will be able to sell a maximum of 50 grams of dried cannabis per month to each member.
Adults under 21 will be limited to 30 grams of cannabis per month containing no more than 10 percent of the psychoactive substance tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
Meeting and consuming cannabis at the clubs will not be allowed and membership will be limited to one club at a time.
The only legal way to obtain cannabis will be to either cultivate it at home or obtain it through the cannabis clubs, with both options limited to people who have been resident in Germany for at least six months.
The restrictions are intended to allay fears from opposition parties, especially the conservative CDU-CSU alliance, that the new law could encourage “drug tourism”.
The government of Scholz’s Social Democrats, the Greens and the pro-business FDP had originally pledged to go further and allow cannabis to be sold in shops, a move that was slapped down by the EU.
A second law is now in the pipeline to trial the drug’s sale in shops or pharmacies in certain regions.
The government insists the new law will reduce the health risks associated with cannabis because it will tackle the problem of contaminated substances on the black market.
But the law has been widely criticised by medical associations and health groups.
It has also led to complaints from regional authorities, charged with overseeing its implementation.
They fear they will be saddled with extra bureaucracy because they will have to reverse prison sentences and fines already imposed for offences that are no longer punishable under the new law.
Friedrich Merz, the leader of the opposition conservatives, has already warned that if his party were to return to power after the 2025 elections, it would “cancel the law immediately”.(Vanguard)
In a move to foster skills acquisition and promote economic empowerment, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Education Secretariat through the Department of Mass Education has flagged off a one-week free holiday vocational and entrepreneurship training program.
The program is a collaborative initiative of the FCT Department of Mass Education, The Potter’s Wheel Foundation, and the Nigerian Non-Governmental Association for Literacy Support Services (NOGALSS).
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the FCT Mandate Secretary for Education, Dr. Danlami Hayyo emphasized the Importance of skills acquisition and entrepreneurship in today’s world describing it as imperative to be self reliant , empowered and resourceful.
He highlighted the Wike- led FCT Administration’s commitment to championing the Renewed Hope Agenda adding that the initiative is a critical strategy for reducing unemployment and building resilience among Abuja residents through practical skill acquisition and entrepreneurship training.
He commended the Department on the synergy between the government and non-governmental organizations noting that it will further empower the people of the FCT with skills and knowledge that lead to viable income-generating opportunities.
He urged the participants to fully utilize the opportunity, network actively and apply themselves diligently to the various training sessions.
In her welcome address,Dr. Favour Edem -Nse,the Director, FCT Department of Mass Education said,the training aligns with Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs) and contributes significantly to reducing the number of out- of- school children, unskilled youths and unemployed women in the Federal Capital Territory.
She added that, the Department goal is not just to train but to guide participants towards becoming self – sufficient and successful entrepreneurs .
She noted that the one week free training program is a manifestation of the Department ‘s broader vision of literacy and lifelong learning.
She revealed that the Department in collaboration with The Potter’s Wheel Foundation and the Nigerian Non- Governmental Association for Literacy Support Services( NOGALSS) will train them hands on session in production of laundry soap,bleach , liquid soap, toilet and car wash , disinfectant,air freshener,snack among others as well as key entrepreneurship modules on Bookkeeping and financial management, marketing and branding with social media management.
She expressed her gratitude to the Mandate Secretary for Education and the Management for the massive support of the life changing opportunity program targeted at women,youths, children and other community residents to equip them with tools for economic self reliance .
The well attended program which drew partner organizations, staff of the Department of Mass Education and enthusiastic participants will run throughout the week with facilitators providing continued support beyond the training period.
A 28-year-old electrician, whose name has not been revealed, has been electrocuted in Oyo State at Eruwa in Ibarapa East of Oyo State.
The victim was electrocuted at the Odo Babaode area of the town.
The man was electrocuted on a high-tension cable belonging to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
The incident occurred when the victim was trying to rectify an electrical fault on the active power lines without being shut down from the feeder.
The General Manager of Oyo State Fire Service, Mr Yemi Akinyinka, who confirmed the development, said a distress call was received by the agency Wednesday afternoon.
He said, “The distressed call was reported at 15:29hrs on Wednesday, 23rd April, 2025.
“The fire personnel led by PFS1 Peluola Babatunde quickly followed the caller and on arrival at the place, we met the victim already electrocuted, and all necessary precautionary measures were observed so as to safeguard the citizens within the vicinity.
“The man was recovered and handed over to a team of police from Eruwa police Station. The incident occurred when the victim (electrician) was trying to rectify an electrical fault on the active power lines without shutting down the feeder.”
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