Germany Set Cannabis Limit for Drivers
What level can drivers legally have in their system?
In April this year, Germany became the next big economy to somewhat legalise the recreational use of cannabis, provoking the question: What level of cannabis can drivers legally have in their system?
Two months after the new legalisation was passed by the Bundestag a new maximum limit has been introduced for drivers. After guidance from an expert committee designated by the Transport Ministry, the highest level of THC has been set at 3.5 nanograms per millilitre.
This is deemed to be equal to 20 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, which is much lower than the legal limit for alcohol which is 50 mg/ 100 ml.
Further, there is a total ban on alcohol for drivers who have ingested cannabis and vice versa, to bypass the impairing consequences of both drugs strengthening each other.
There will also be a total ban on cannabis for new drivers (the same stands currently with alcohol). “New drivers” are classed as those under 21, or who hold a driver’s license that is less than two years old.
Germany is the third European country to legalise cannabis for personal recreational use, following in the footsteps of Malta and Luxembourg.
Some EU countries already have a legal limit for THC in the blood in force. These countries include Luxembourg, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark and Ireland.
However, the majority of EU member states, continue to have no lawful limit. This means that any level of THC that is detected might play a part in the suspension of a driver’s license, a fine, or a prison sentence.
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Liz Filmer
