Berlin (AP) – Alcohol is allowed at the world-famous Oktoberfest in the German state of Bavaria, but marijuana is banned. The southern German state will ban the use of cannabis at public festivals, hop gardens and even the world’s most popular beer festivals like Oktoberfest, the state government announced on Tuesday.
Local authorities in Bavaria may also ban the use of consumer cannabis in public places such as Munich’s Englandgarden, including open-air swimming pools and recreational parks, according to DPA.
“Our goal is to limit the use of cannabis in public places,” said Judith Gerlach, Bavaria’s health minister. “This is important for protecting health, especially for children and adolescents.”
The ban was introduced earlier this month after it became legal to possess small amounts of cannabis for recreational use across Germany. The Bavarian state government, which has a conservative majority, has expressed strong opposition to the partial legalization of marijuana. The new German rules, which go into effect on April 1, allow adults to possess up to 25 grams (about an ounce) of recreational marijuana for recreational purposes and allow the cultivation of up to three cannabis plants for personal use.
According to the law, from July 1 this year, residents living in Germany over the age of 18 will be able to join non-profit cannabis cultivation clubs in order to buy cannabis. The Bavarian state government, in its strict interpretation of the cannabis law, has also said it wants to ban the use of cannabis in indoor and outdoor areas set aside for smokers, such as restaurants and cafes. The ban will also extend to the heating and evaporation of cannabis and its derivatives, DPA reported.
The Bavarian government insists the ban on cannabis use at public events, including Oktoberfest, is necessary because users are not allowed to use cannabis near minors, and children and teenagers are often present at these events.