Munich’s beer-soaked Oktoberfest may be declared a “cannabis-free” zone, even though the drug was just legalised.<\/p>\n
Marijuana was part-decriminalised across Germany on 1 April – but the rules have met resistance, especially among conservatives.<\/p>\n
Bavaria’s leader says his state won’t become a “stoner’s paradise”.<\/p>\n
Millions of litres are consumed by millions of people at Oktoberfest’s annual party, which takes place in September to October in Munich.<\/p>\n
But, like events across Germany, organisers will now have to navigate new – and complicated – cannabis liberalisation laws.<\/p>\n
Adults can grow, carry and smoke limited amounts of the drug in a move that proponents say will improve quality control and curb the black market.<\/p>\n
But opponents believe the changes will actually fuel the black market, be an added burden on police and damage the health of young people.<\/p>\n
Unable to prevent the law from passing at a federal level, unhappy states might be able to signal their resistance through local implementation.<\/p>\n
And is Germany’s southern state of Bavaria – often known for going its own way – set to become a testing ground?<\/p>\n
Cannabis users will face “strict action”, promised its premier, Markus S\u00f6der.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, a senior member of Mr S\u00f6der’s team said proposals were being examined to allow the creation, by municipalities, of “cannabis-free” zones.<\/p>\n
A solution “for example, for folk festivals or for the Oktoberfest”, said Bavarian state minister for federal affairs Florian Herrmann.<\/p>\n
Smoking weed in Munich’s well-known public park, the English Garden, could also be prohibited – according to the German Press Agency.<\/p>\n