New limits for cannabis in road traffic in Germany. One nanogram of THC corresponds to one billionth of a gram. It’s hard to imagine, but until now it was the limit for people who consume cannabis and drive a car or motorcycle. This is to ensure that no one under the influence of cannabis takes part in road traffic and endangers themselves or others.
However, the current limit of one nanogram per milliliter of blood serum is considered too low by various experts. According to ADAC President Gerhard Hillebrand, the low limit often leads to “false positive” results, especially for occasional users long after consumption. Although cannabis is detectable, “there is no longer any impairment of driving safety”.
Limit raised to 3.5 nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood
In March 2024, a group of experts commissioned by the Ministry of Transport presented recommendations for amending the Road Traffic Act. According to the recommendations, the limit should be raised to 3.5 nanograms per milliliter of blood serum. This corresponds to a blood alcohol concentration of 0.2 per mille. This is intended to avoid false positive results if moderate users are able to distinguish between driving and smoking weed.
On June 3, the German Bundestag approved an amendment to the Road Traffic Act (StVG). Anyone who exceeds the new limit for the first time will have to pay a fine of 500 euros and will be banned from driving for one month. The second offense will incur a fine of 1,000 euros and further offenses 1,500 euros, each with a three-month driving ban. For under 21-year-olds, however, as with alcohol, there is still an absolute ban on cannabis in road traffic.
Absolute ban on alcohol in road traffic for cannabis users
At the same time, an alcohol ban will be introduced for cannabis users in road traffic. This means that cannabis users who are found to have more than 3.5 nanograms of THC and alcohol in their blood will be fined at least 1,000 euros and banned from driving for one month.
