OREANDA-NEWS. Germany plans to legalize marijuana. This is evidenced by the draft coalition agreement of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Greens and the Free Democratic Party (FDP). The document is referenced by Handelsblatt.

"We are introducing the controlled sale of cannabis to adults for personal consumption in licensed stores," the draft agreement says.

The parties intend to observe for four years how the innovation will work, and then evaluate it. As an argument for the introduction of such an initiative, its authors cite the fact that illegal sale threatens the widespread distribution of a low-quality product. In their opinion, legalization will help drain the black market.

According to media reports, the annual turnover of the illegal cannabis market in Germany is estimated at 2 billion euros.

Marijuana is legalized for personal medicinal use in a number of American states, in Canada, and partially legalized in the Netherlands and several other countries.

On October 20, it became known that the law on the legalization of the use of marijuana for medical purposes in Costa Rica was adopted in the first reading by the deputies of the republic's parliament. Also, in accordance with the new regulation, it will be allowed to grow cannabis at home, but in the amount allowed by the Ministry of Health.