- All Blacks coach Robertson demands better finishing
- Argentina edge South Africa to keep title hopes alive
- Biden says China 'testing us,' in hot mic remarks to Quad allies
- Dubois destroys Joshua to retain IBF world heavyweight crown
- Guardiola says critics want Man City wiped 'from face of the Earth'
- Biden says 'Quad' is 'here to stay' despite challenges
- Dubois knocks out Joshua to retain IBF world heavyweight crown
- Vinicius helps 'faster' Madrid overturn stubborn Espanyol
- Zelensky to press US on long-range missile strikes inside Russia
- PSG drop first points in draw at Reims
- Vinicius, Mbappe on target as Madrid crush plucky Espanyol
- Jeeno leads Ko by two at LPGA Queen City Championship
- Bottega Veneta goes for 'E.T.' chic as Madonna pops into D&G
- Messi, Miami frustrated by New York late leveler
- Musk's X platform takes first step toward lifting Brazil ban
- 'Business as usual' for Australia match-winner Carey amid boos
- Israeli jets pound Lebanon after deadly Beirut strike
- Ten Hag bemoans Man Utd's lack of killer instinct in Palace stalemate
- France's Macron appoints new government in shift to right
- Cheika proud of Leicester grit after winning start as boss
- Profligate Man Utd pay price in 0-0 draw at Palace
- Kane, Olise run riot as Bayern thump Bremen
- Diaz fires Liverpool top of Premier League, Man Utd held at Palace
- LIV champion Rahm out of LIV Team semis with severe flu
- Slot surprised by tearful Nunez's moment of magic
- Title rivals Norris, Verstappen on 'cool' front row for Singapore GP
- Biden talks China with 'Quad' leaders in hometown summit
- Juve and Napoli play out goalless draw in early Serie A title tussle
- Alcaraz fears tennis tour grind will 'kill us'
- Carey sparks recovery as Australia thrash England in 2nd ODI
- Leclerc, Sainz lament 'disappointing' Saturday in Singapore
- Bottega Veneta holds investors' aces as Madonna pops into D&G
- Beirut digs for victims at building flattened in Israeli strike
- Verstappen stages protest over 'ridiculous' swearing punishment
- Bayern boss Kompany lauds 'special talent' Olise
- Diaz fires Liverpool top of Premier League, Spurs bounce back
- Heavy fire over Israel-Lebanon border after deadly Beirut strike
- Ramos guides unbeaten Toulouse to Montpellier win despite Hogg scuffle
- Myanmar flood death toll jumps to 384
- Chelsea owners 'happy' with win at West Ham amid rift report
- Kane and Olise run riot as Bayern thump Bremen
- Ramos guides unbeaten Toulouse to Montpellier win
- Norris pips Verstappen to dramatic Singapore pole after Sainz crash
- Carey takes Australia to 270 in 2nd ODI against England after collapse
- Two Hezbollah leaders killed in Israel's Beirut strike
- Hungary Danube waters reach decade high after Storm Boris
- Bagnaia cuts Martin's MotoGP lead with Emilia-Romagna sprint win
- Jackson double fires Chelsea to victory at woeful West Ham
- Fiji beat Japan to lift Pacific Nations Cup
- Kasatkina to face Haddad Maia in Korea Open final
Germany revamps cannabis plan after opposition
Germany has scrapped plans to allow the widespread sale of cannabis in licensed stores for the time being following EU concerns, the government said Wednesday.
Berlin had announced in October proposals to introduce some of Europe's most liberal cannabis laws.
But on Wednesday the coalition government unveiled a watered-down, two-stage plan that would still allow adults to possess cannabis in small amounts but not its sale in stores nationwide.
While the details may have changed, the "original goals" have not, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach told a press conference, listing them as "safer consumption, tackling the black market, protecting young people".
The first stage of the new plan would permit the establishment of "cannabis clubs", non-profit groups of up to 500 members allowed to cultivate the drug for personal use.
Members will be allowed to possess up to 25 grams (0.9 ounces) of cannabis and grow up to three plants each.
Minors will still be prohibited from consuming the drug.
A draft bill related to the cannabis clubs should be ready later this month before being presented the cabinet and MPs for approval.
"Consumption will still become legal this year," Agriculture Minister Cem Ozdemir told the press conference.
A second stage would involve testing -- in regions yet to be chosen, over a five-year period -- the production and sale of cannabis in specialised stores under government licence.
Widespread sale of the drug across the country, as envisaged in the original plan, was not possible under European law.
The pilot project could serve as a model at the European level and lead to a change in the law, said Lauterbach, adding that he had had encouraging discussions with other countries on the subject.
Legalisation of cannabis was one of the flagship policies agreed by Germany's coalition partners -- the Social Democrats, Greens and the liberal FDP -- when they formed a government in late 2021.
- 'Wrong track' -
Wednesday's announcement drew sharp criticism from the opposition.
The government is "fundamentally on the wrong track," tweeted Markus Soeder, leader of the CSU, the Bavarian sister party of the main opposition CDU.
"Drug legalisation is simply the wrong way to go. Karl Lauterbach, as minister of health, seriously proposes the establishment of drug clubs. This does not solve problems, but creates new ones."
The GdP police union also said it did not believe the plans would do much to curb the illegal cannabis trade, the group's deputy chairman Alexander Poitz told the RND media group.
G.Stevens--AMWN