The German parliament is about to vote on a new law to allow the recreational use of cannabis.
If MPs vote yes, over 18s in Germany will be allowed to possess substantial amounts of cannabis, but strict rules will make it difficult to buy the drug.
Smoking cannabis in many public spaces would then become legal from 1 April.
Possession of up to 25g, or almost an ounce, would be allowed in public spaces, and in private homes the legal upper limit would be 50g.
Already police in some parts of Germany, such as Berlin, often turn a blind eye to smoking in public, although possession of the drug for recreational use is illegal and can be prosecuted. Use of the drug among young people has been soaring for years despite the existing law, says Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, who is instigating the reforms.
He wants to undermine the black market, protect smokers from contaminated cannabis and cut revenue streams for organised crime gangs.
But legal cannabis cafes will not suddenly spring up all over the country.
A ferocious debate about decriminalising cannabis has been raging for years in Germany, with doctors’ groups expressing concerns for young people and conservatives saying that liberalisation will fuel drug use.
As so often in Germany, the resulting bill being voted on by MPs is complicated.
Smoking cannabis in some areas, such as near schools and sports grounds, will still be illegal. Crucially, the market will be strictly regulated so buying the drug will not be easy.
Original plans to allow licensed shops and pharmacies to sell cannabis have been scrapped over EU concerns that this could lead to a surge in drug exports.
Instead, non-commercial members’ clubs, dubbed “cannabis social clubs”, will grow and distribute a limited amount of the drug.
Each club will have an upper limit of 500 members, consuming cannabis onsite will not be allowed, and membership will only be available to German residents.
Growing your own cannabis will also be permitted, with up to three marijuana plants allowed per household.
This means that Germany could be in the paradoxical position of allowing possession of rather large amounts of the drug – 25g is the equivalent of dozens of strong joints – while at the same time making it difficult to purchase.
Regular smokers would benefit, but occasional users would struggle to buy it legally and tourists would be excluded. Critics say this will simply fuel the black market.
Over the next few years, the government wants to assess the impact of the new law, and eventually introduce the licensed sale of cannabis.
But given how tortuous the debate has been so far, nothing is certain.
Meanwhile, opposition conservatives say that if they get into government next year, they will scrap the law entirely. Germany is unlikely to become Europe’s new Amsterdam anytime soon.