Author

Topic: Computación cuántica y Bitcoin. (Read 239 times)

newbie
Activity: 18
Merit: 0
June 28, 2018, 04:41:05 PM
#15
Esperemos que los ordenadores cuánticos no aparezcan pronto. Sería la excusa perfecta para que algunos inversores nerviosos empezarán a vender sus bitcoins.
newbie
Activity: 4
Merit: 0
June 28, 2018, 02:54:41 PM
#14
la computación cuantica sueña con lograr acceder a la red de bitcoin, sin embargo requiere un tiempo inaudito para lograr esto.
newbie
Activity: 95
Merit: 0
June 28, 2018, 02:08:52 PM
#13
La computación cuántica en teoría sí supone un riesgo para cualquier criptodivisa, pero supongo que los dueños de tales máquinas solo serán gobiernos y transnacionales en busca de lavado de activos.
sr. member
Activity: 616
Merit: 269
A decentralized registry for unique assets
May 11, 2018, 02:54:03 AM
#12
Hola a todos.

Yo pensaba que lo de la computación cuántica aún era ciencia ficción, pero parece que ya es una realidad.

Hoy, leyendo sobre el tema, me entero que Google ya ha anunciado un procesador de 72 cúbits; y que Intel e IBM ya lo habían hecho con anterioridad con uno de 49 y 50 cúbits respectivamente.

Llegado este momento, uno se pregunta: ¿es una amenaza esto para la seguridad del Bitcoin? ¿Está previsto tomar alguna medida para dotar al Bitcoin de seguridad “post-cuántica”?

Un saludo.

No hay amenaza real con este asunto. Hoy en día la red de Bitcoin y su seguridad está prodegida más, que muchos bancos, y si aparezca alguna sospecha de peligro, siempre se puede modificar el código.
Saludos!
BTCBTCBTC
newbie
Activity: 41
Merit: 0
May 10, 2018, 06:12:22 PM
#11
Hola a todos.

Yo pensaba que lo de la computación cuántica aún era ciencia ficción, pero parece que ya es una realidad.

Hoy, leyendo sobre el tema, me entero que Google ya ha anunciado un procesador de 72 cúbits; y que Intel e IBM ya lo habían hecho con anterioridad con uno de 49 y 50 cúbits respectivamente.

Llegado este momento, uno se pregunta: ¿es una amenaza esto para la seguridad del Bitcoin? ¿Está previsto tomar alguna medida para dotar al Bitcoin de seguridad “post-cuántica”?

Un saludo.



Aunque no lo digan yo creo que ya se debería pensar que problemas podría traer y como se puede solucionar . Crear un criptomoneda donde no se vea afectada por la computación cuántica.
member
Activity: 76
Merit: 10
March 27, 2018, 03:08:35 PM
#10
La capacidad de realizar cálculos de una computadora cuántica puede ser una amenaza para los mineros de BTC, quizás con una computadora cuántica sea mucho más rápido minar BTC, por favor los expertos en el tema verifiquenme si estoy en lo cierto.
Hola.

Fuente: https://www.technologyreview.es/s/9735/los-ordenadores-cuanticos-podrian-acabar-con-bitcoin-en-solo-una-decada

Quote
El equipo de Aggarwal afirma que la mayoría de la minería se realiza mediante circuitos integrados para aplicaciones específicas (ASIC, por sus siglas en inglés) fabricados por empresas como Nvidia. Es probable que este hardware mantenga una ventaja de velocidad sobre los ordenadores cuánticos durante los próximos 10 años, más o menos.

La investigación detalla: "Hemos detectado que las labores de verificación de Bitcoin son relativamente resistentes a la aceleración sustancial de los ordenadores cuánticos durante los próximos 10 años, principalmente porque los mineros especializados ASIC son extremadamente rápidos en comparación con la velocidad proyectada de los ordenadores cuánticos a corto plazo".

Un saludo.


Que buena información, gracias!
gran informacion, pero por ahora todos tranquilos ya que falta aun para que se desarrolle por completo un equipo adecuado y con acceso para todo el mundo, sobre todo mejorar ya que aun tiene ciertos problemas que solucionar.
newbie
Activity: 56
Merit: 0
March 16, 2018, 05:24:43 PM
#9
Pero se supone que las cuanticas tienen un "razonamiento" diferente. Mi conocimiento es nulo en informatica. Pero segun leí, la forma de trabajar será totalmente diferente. Es decir, no serian computadoras con, por ejemplo, 1000 GB de RAM, sino que su procesamiento de la informacion sería de otra manera.
newbie
Activity: 96
Merit: 0
March 15, 2018, 07:56:14 AM
#8
Mira, hasta el día de hoy no hay nada de qué preocuparse. La computación cuántica apenas esta cimentándose y dudo mucho de que sea capaz de hacerle daño al Bitcoin o alguna otra moneda a corto o mediano plazo ya que, como sabemos, está en una etapa experimental. Además, no se le vería utilidad programar de manera cuántica un algoritmo por algo tan “banal” como el Bitcoin.
jr. member
Activity: 92
Merit: 3
Enamorado de este ecosistema
March 15, 2018, 07:36:45 AM
#7
Los expertos dicen que le queda aún entre 15 y 20 años para desarrollar adecuadamente la computación cuántica,

Tenemos que pensar que la Blockchain es el próximo cambio, el cambio actual, pero como todo, nada es para siempre,
Crep que dentro de 15 años vendría la revolución cuántica, dejando obsoleta a la criptografía.. aunque tan sólo en mi opinión  Grin
newbie
Activity: 4
Merit: 0
March 14, 2018, 12:44:28 PM
#6
La capacidad de realizar cálculos de una computadora cuántica puede ser una amenaza para los mineros de BTC, quizás con una computadora cuántica sea mucho más rápido minar BTC, por favor los expertos en el tema verifiquenme si estoy en lo cierto.
Hola.

Fuente: https://www.technologyreview.es/s/9735/los-ordenadores-cuanticos-podrian-acabar-con-bitcoin-en-solo-una-decada

Quote
El equipo de Aggarwal afirma que la mayoría de la minería se realiza mediante circuitos integrados para aplicaciones específicas (ASIC, por sus siglas en inglés) fabricados por empresas como Nvidia. Es probable que este hardware mantenga una ventaja de velocidad sobre los ordenadores cuánticos durante los próximos 10 años, más o menos.

La investigación detalla: "Hemos detectado que las labores de verificación de Bitcoin son relativamente resistentes a la aceleración sustancial de los ordenadores cuánticos durante los próximos 10 años, principalmente porque los mineros especializados ASIC son extremadamente rápidos en comparación con la velocidad proyectada de los ordenadores cuánticos a corto plazo".

Un saludo.


Que buena información, gracias!
hero member
Activity: 782
Merit: 523
--- I ❤ Ƀ ---
March 14, 2018, 12:36:56 PM
#5
La capacidad de realizar cálculos de una computadora cuántica puede ser una amenaza para los mineros de BTC, quizás con una computadora cuántica sea mucho más rápido minar BTC, por favor los expertos en el tema verifiquenme si estoy en lo cierto.
Hola.

Fuente: https://www.technologyreview.es/s/9735/los-ordenadores-cuanticos-podrian-acabar-con-bitcoin-en-solo-una-decada

Quote
El equipo de Aggarwal afirma que la mayoría de la minería se realiza mediante circuitos integrados para aplicaciones específicas (ASIC, por sus siglas en inglés) fabricados por empresas como Nvidia. Es probable que este hardware mantenga una ventaja de velocidad sobre los ordenadores cuánticos durante los próximos 10 años, más o menos.

La investigación detalla: "Hemos detectado que las labores de verificación de Bitcoin son relativamente resistentes a la aceleración sustancial de los ordenadores cuánticos durante los próximos 10 años, principalmente porque los mineros especializados ASIC son extremadamente rápidos en comparación con la velocidad proyectada de los ordenadores cuánticos a corto plazo".

Un saludo.
sgv
newbie
Activity: 86
Merit: 0
March 14, 2018, 12:14:47 PM
#4
Hola a todos.

Yo pensaba que lo de la computación cuántica aún era ciencia ficción, pero parece que ya es una realidad.

Hoy, leyendo sobre el tema, me entero que Google ya ha anunciado un procesador de 72 cúbits; y que Intel e IBM ya lo habían hecho con anterioridad con uno de 49 y 50 cúbits respectivamente.

Llegado este momento, uno se pregunta: ¿es una amenaza esto para la seguridad del Bitcoin? ¿Está previsto tomar alguna medida para dotar al Bitcoin de seguridad “post-cuántica”?

Un saludo.


La capacidad de realizar cálculos de una computadora cuántica puede ser una amenaza para los mineros de BTC, quizás con una computadora cuántica sea mucho más rápido minar BTC, por favor los expertos en el tema verifiquenme si estoy en lo cierto.

Saludos!
legendary
Activity: 2338
Merit: 10802
There are lies, damned lies and statistics. MTwain
March 12, 2018, 09:15:00 AM
#3
En el año 2013,  Vitalik Buterin escribió un artículo al respecto, donde indicaba cómo defendernos de las computadoras cuánticas (véase https://bitcoinmagazine.com/articles/bitcoin-is-not-quantum-safe-and-how-we-can-fix-1375242150).

Técnicamente, el artículo es complejo y concluye que parte de la solución pasa por mover nuestros activos de direcciones convencionales a direcciones Lamport, un sistema basado en tener múltiples cerrojos asociados y requerir entorno a 280 pasos para que un usurpador pueda crear una transacción fraudulenta habiendo crakeado todos sus hashes.

Según Louis Parks , CEO de SecureRF, compañía dedicada a crear Sistemas de seguridad quantum-resistant, el número de qubits estimado para crakear la criptografía de Bitcoin está entre 4,000 to 10,000, por lo que aún queda camino por recorrer.

El problema en todo caso no se ciñe a la criptodivisa, dado que las mismas vulnerabilidades subyacen en los entornos online de banca y comercio electrónico.

Por tanto, la solución deberá partir de los actores principales de la industria potencialmente afectada con mayor rigor, los cuales deben ya estar abordando potenciales soluciones a medida que los qubits caminan hacia las cotas de peligro efectivo. O eso espero ..
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Some German people drink their beer after work. We just want to smoke our weed."

So says Marcel Ritschel who's celebrating as Germany - traditionally "beer land" - becomes a more cannabis-friendly country.

Germany has, as of 1 April, partly decriminalised marijuana use.

But police unions are warning of real-world harm. The law-change may have come on April Fool's Day but for them it is no joke.

We meet Marcel Ritschel in the Neustadt area in Dresden, the heart of the city's alternative scene.

Here, as in other places, it wasn't hard to find people openly smoking joints even before the rules were relaxed.

That's one of the arguments behind decriminalisation; millions of people were smoking the stuff anyway.

It will help kill the black market and improve quality control - say supporters.
Presentational grey line
What are the new rules?

From 1 April

    Over 18s can possess up to 25g of cannabis in public
    Adults can grow up to three plants, per household
    But people won't be allowed to smoke joints within sight of schools, sports centres or in "pedestrian zones" between 7:00 and 20:00

From 1 July

    Growers associations or "social clubs" can be established with up to 500 members
    Members must be over 18 and live in Germany
    The clubs can grow and distribute the drug on a strictly not-for-profit basis
    Consuming the drug on site will not be allowed

Presentational grey line

Mr Ritschel is planning on setting up a growers association or "cannabis social club" that will be allowed under the law, from July.

"A gardening club but for hemp," as he describes it.

"Every gram that goes from the cannabis social club is one gram that's not on the black market," he says. "So it's a win-win situation."
Cannabis
Adults will be allowed to grow up to three cannabis plants per household

These places won't be like the famed Amsterdam-style cannabis coffee shops, which have themselves been hotly debated in the Netherlands.

The not-for-profit clubs in Germany are supposed to be only for people who actually live here, in order to stop a wave of tourists pouring in to enjoy liberal cannabis laws.

There are many caveats and complexities within the legislation; a product of the political controversy that's forced the plans - as originally envisaged - to be watered down.

The halfway house has left people disgruntled, on both sides of the debate.

There are warnings that 1 April will mark the start of a "chaos phase" for Germany.

"We assume that the black market will be strengthened," says Alexander Poitz from Gewerkschaft der Polizei (GdP), the German Police Union.
Alexander Poitz
Alexander Poitz fears that criminal networks will quickly adapt to the law change

He believes that demand will quickly outstrip legal supply given growing weed at home requires perseverance and care while it'll be months before cannabis clubs can start to function.

Longer-term, he claims criminal networks will adapt and even "infiltrate" the social clubs while enforcing the law, which will be a "mammoth" task to handle.

Smoking weed within 100m (328ft) of a children's playgrounds, schools or sports centres - for example - is not allowed.

In busy, crowded cities, it may take some dedication to find a spot to light up a spliff that's actually, technically, legal.

There's also the problem of how police will be able to tell the difference between a consumer and a dealer, if a person is able to carry up to 25g of the drug - enough for dozens of joints.

Concerns that cannabis can be addictive and adversely affect mental health have also been voiced by groups such as the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME).
Cannabis
Lighting up a joint legally might still prove tricky in some cities

The new measures will "increase use and health related harms, especially among youth," says CPME Vice President, Professor Ray Walley.

Given under 18s can't take advantage of the new laws, it's thought that many young people will still resort to drug dealers.

Germany is one on a long list of nations that have wrestled with the pros and cons of decriminalising marijuana.

The government in Berlin cited a 2021 survey which found 10.7% of men and 6.8% of women had used cannabis at least once in the past 12 months, most commonly in the 18-24 age group.

No approach yet exists that's been "truly successful" in killing the black market or preventing youth issues, according to Dr Robin Hofmann - an assistant professor for criminal law and criminology at Maastricht University.
Reuters Pro-cannabis protester in BerlinReuters
Campaigners have got their way - though some politicians have vowed to repeal the law change

Curbing the black market is a goal that "hasn't been fully achieved" even in countries where the drug has been properly legalised, such as in Canada or Uruguay.

"It's a long process," says Dr Hofmann, "A marathon, not a sprint."

Germany's journey towards part-decriminalisation has similarly been a long road, in a debate typically pitting left-wingers against conservatives.

This proposal emerged in 2021 when the three ruling parties carved out their coalition agreement, following years of stasis under former conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The party Ms Merkel headed, the Christian Democratic Union party (CDU), has already pledged to reverse the changes if it wins power at the next election.

Marcel Ritschel accepts that the change he's long campaigned for might not last the decade.

"Maybe we have two years and then it's all over."
"Some German people drink their beer after work. We just want to smoke our weed."

So says Marcel Ritschel who's celebrating as Germany - traditionally "beer land" - becomes a more cannabis-friendly country.

Germany has, as of 1 April, partly decriminalised marijuana use.

But police unions are warning of real-world harm. The law-change may have come on April Fool's Day but for them it is no joke.

We meet Marcel Ritschel in the Neustadt area in Dresden, the heart of the city's alternative scene.

Here, as in other places, it wasn't hard to find people openly smoking joints even before the rules were relaxed.

That's one of the arguments behind decriminalisation; millions of people were smoking the stuff anyway.

It will help kill the black market and improve quality control - say supporters.
Presentational grey line
What are the new rules?

From 1 April

    Over 18s can possess up to 25g of cannabis in public
    Adults can grow up to three plants, per household
    But people won't be allowed to smoke joints within sight of schools, sports centres or in "pedestrian zones" between 7:00 and 20:00

From 1 July

    Growers associations or "social clubs" can be established with up to 500 members
    Members must be over 18 and live in Germany
    The clubs can grow and distribute the drug on a strictly not-for-profit basis
    Consuming the drug on site will not be allowed

Presentational grey line

Mr Ritschel is planning on setting up a growers association or "cannabis social club" that will be allowed under the law, from July.

"A gardening club but for hemp," as he describes it.

"Every gram that goes from the cannabis social club is one gram that's not on the black market," he says. "So it's a win-win situation."
Cannabis
Adults will be allowed to grow up to three cannabis plants per household

These places won't be like the famed Amsterdam-style cannabis coffee shops, which have themselves been hotly debated in the Netherlands.

The not-for-profit clubs in Germany are supposed to be only for people who actually live here, in order to stop a wave of tourists pouring in to enjoy liberal cannabis laws.

There are many caveats and complexities within the legislation; a product of the political controversy that's forced the plans - as originally envisaged - to be watered down.

The halfway house has left people disgruntled, on both sides of the debate.

There are warnings that 1 April will mark the start of a "chaos phase" for Germany.

"We assume that the black market will be strengthened," says Alexander Poitz from Gewerkschaft der Polizei (GdP), the German Police Union.
Alexander Poitz
Alexander Poitz fears that criminal networks will quickly adapt to the law change

He believes that demand will quickly outstrip legal supply given growing weed at home requires perseverance and care while it'll be months before cannabis clubs can start to function.

Longer-term, he claims criminal networks will adapt and even "infiltrate" the social clubs while enforcing the law, which will be a "mammoth" task to handle.

Smoking weed within 100m (328ft) of a children's playgrounds, schools or sports centres - for example - is not allowed.

In busy, crowded cities, it may take some dedication to find a spot to light up a spliff that's actually, technically, legal.

There's also the problem of how police will be able to tell the difference between a consumer and a dealer, if a person is able to carry up to 25g of the drug - enough for dozens of joints.

Concerns that cannabis can be addictive and adversely affect mental health have also been voiced by groups such as the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME).
Cannabis
Lighting up a joint legally might still prove tricky in some cities

The new measures will "increase use and health related harms, especially among youth," says CPME Vice President, Professor Ray Walley.

Given under 18s can't take advantage of the new laws, it's thought that many young people will still resort to drug dealers.

Germany is one on a long list of nations that have wrestled with the pros and cons of decriminalising marijuana.

The government in Berlin cited a 2021 survey which found 10.7% of men and 6.8% of women had used cannabis at least once in the past 12 months, most commonly in the 18-24 age group.

No approach yet exists that's been "truly successful" in killing the black market or preventing youth issues, according to Dr Robin Hofmann - an assistant professor for criminal law and criminology at Maastricht University.
Reuters Pro-cannabis protester in BerlinReuters
Campaigners have got their way - though some politicians have vowed to repeal the law change

Curbing the black market is a goal that "hasn't been fully achieved" even in countries where the drug has been properly legalised, such as in Canada or Uruguay.

"It's a long process," says Dr Hofmann, "A marathon, not a sprint."

Germany's journey towards part-decriminalisation has similarly been a long road, in a debate typically pitting left-wingers against conservatives.

This proposal emerged in 2021 when the three ruling parties carved out their coalition agreement, following years of stasis under former conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The party Ms Merkel headed, the Christian Democratic Union party (CDU), has already pledged to reverse the changes if it wins power at the next election.

Marcel Ritschel accepts that the change he's long campaigned for might not last the decade.

"Maybe we have two years and then it's all over."
"Some German people drink their beer after work. We just want to smoke our weed."

So says Marcel Ritschel who's celebrating as Germany - traditionally "beer land" - becomes a more cannabis-friendly country.

Germany has, as of 1 April, partly decriminalised marijuana use.

But police unions are warning of real-world harm. The law-change may have come on April Fool's Day but for them it is no joke.

We meet Marcel Ritschel in the Neustadt area in Dresden, the heart of the city's alternative scene.

Here, as in other places, it wasn't hard to find people openly smoking joints even before the rules were relaxed.

That's one of the arguments behind decriminalisation; millions of people were smoking the stuff anyway.

It will help kill the black market and improve quality control - say supporters.
Presentational grey line
What are the new rules?

From 1 April

    Over 18s can possess up to 25g of cannabis in public
    Adults can grow up to three plants, per household
    But people won't be allowed to smoke joints within sight of schools, sports centres or in "pedestrian zones" between 7:00 and 20:00

From 1 July

    Growers associations or "social clubs" can be established with up to 500 members
    Members must be over 18 and live in Germany
    The clubs can grow and distribute the drug on a strictly not-for-profit basis
    Consuming the drug on site will not be allowed

Presentational grey line

Mr Ritschel is planning on setting up a growers association or "cannabis social club" that will be allowed under the law, from July.

"A gardening club but for hemp," as he describes it.

"Every gram that goes from the cannabis social club is one gram that's not on the black market," he says. "So it's a win-win situation."
Cannabis
Adults will be allowed to grow up to three cannabis plants per household

These places won't be like the famed Amsterdam-style cannabis coffee shops, which have themselves been hotly debated in the Netherlands.

The not-for-profit clubs in Germany are supposed to be only for people who actually live here, in order to stop a wave of tourists pouring in to enjoy liberal cannabis laws.

There are many caveats and complexities within the legislation; a product of the political controversy that's forced the plans - as originally envisaged - to be watered down.

The halfway house has left people disgruntled, on both sides of the debate.

There are warnings that 1 April will mark the start of a "chaos phase" for Germany.

"We assume that the black market will be strengthened," says Alexander Poitz from Gewerkschaft der Polizei (GdP), the German Police Union.
Alexander Poitz
Alexander Poitz fears that criminal networks will quickly adapt to the law change

He believes that demand will quickly outstrip legal supply given growing weed at home requires perseverance and care while it'll be months before cannabis clubs can start to function.

Longer-term, he claims criminal networks will adapt and even "infiltrate" the social clubs while enforcing the law, which will be a "mammoth" task to handle.

Smoking weed within 100m (328ft) of a children's playgrounds, schools or sports centres - for example - is not allowed.

In busy, crowded cities, it may take some dedication to find a spot to light up a spliff that's actually, technically, legal.

There's also the problem of how police will be able to tell the difference between a consumer and a dealer, if a person is able to carry up to 25g of the drug - enough for dozens of joints.

Concerns that cannabis can be addictive and adversely affect mental health have also been voiced by groups such as the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME).
Cannabis
Lighting up a joint legally might still prove tricky in some cities

The new measures will "increase use and health related harms, especially among youth," says CPME Vice President, Professor Ray Walley.

Given under 18s can't take advantage of the new laws, it's thought that many young people will still resort to drug dealers.

Germany is one on a long list of nations that have wrestled with the pros and cons of decriminalising marijuana.

The government in Berlin cited a 2021 survey which found 10.7% of men and 6.8% of women had used cannabis at least once in the past 12 months, most commonly in the 18-24 age group.

No approach yet exists that's been "truly successful" in killing the black market or preventing youth issues, according to Dr Robin Hofmann - an assistant professor for criminal law and criminology at Maastricht University.
Reuters Pro-cannabis protester in BerlinReuters
Campaigners have got their way - though some politicians have vowed to repeal the law change

Curbing the black market is a goal that "hasn't been fully achieved" even in countries where the drug has been properly legalised, such as in Canada or Uruguay.

"It's a long process," says Dr Hofmann, "A marathon, not a sprint."

Germany's journey towards part-decriminalisation has similarly been a long road, in a debate typically pitting left-wingers against conservatives.

This proposal emerged in 2021 when the three ruling parties carved out their coalition agreement, following years of stasis under former conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The party Ms Merkel headed, the Christian Democratic Union party (CDU), has already pledged to reverse the changes if it wins power at the next election.

Marcel Ritschel accepts that the change he's long campaigned for might not last the decade.

"Maybe we have two years and then it's all over."
"Some German people drink their beer after work. We just want to smoke our weed."

So says Marcel Ritschel who's celebrating as Germany - traditionally "beer land" - becomes a more cannabis-friendly country.

Germany has, as of 1 April, partly decriminalised marijuana use.

But police unions are warning of real-world harm. The law-change may have come on April Fool's Day but for them it is no joke.

We meet Marcel Ritschel in the Neustadt area in Dresden, the heart of the city's alternative scene.

Here, as in other places, it wasn't hard to find people openly smoking joints even before the rules were relaxed.

That's one of the arguments behind decriminalisation; millions of people were smoking the stuff anyway.

It will help kill the black market and improve quality control - say supporters.
Presentational grey line
What are the new rules?

From 1 April

    Over 18s can possess up to 25g of cannabis in public
    Adults can grow up to three plants, per household
    But people won't be allowed to smoke joints within sight of schools, sports centres or in "pedestrian zones" between 7:00 and 20:00

From 1 July

    Growers associations or "social clubs" can be established with up to 500 members
    Members must be over 18 and live in Germany
    The clubs can grow and distribute the drug on a strictly not-for-profit basis
    Consuming the drug on site will not be allowed

Presentational grey line

Mr Ritschel is planning on setting up a growers association or "cannabis social club" that will be allowed under the law, from July.

"A gardening club but for hemp," as he describes it.

"Every gram that goes from the cannabis social club is one gram that's not on the black market," he says. "So it's a win-win situation."
Cannabis
Adults will be allowed to grow up to three cannabis plants per household

These places won't be like the famed Amsterdam-style cannabis coffee shops, which have themselves been hotly debated in the Netherlands.

The not-for-profit clubs in Germany are supposed to be only for people who actually live here, in order to stop a wave of tourists pouring in to enjoy liberal cannabis laws.

There are many caveats and complexities within the legislation; a product of the political controversy that's forced the plans - as originally envisaged - to be watered down.

The halfway house has left people disgruntled, on both sides of the debate.

There are warnings that 1 April will mark the start of a "chaos phase" for Germany.

"We assume that the black market will be strengthened," says Alexander Poitz from Gewerkschaft der Polizei (GdP), the German Police Union.
Alexander Poitz
Alexander Poitz fears that criminal networks will quickly adapt to the law change

He believes that demand will quickly outstrip legal supply given growing weed at home requires perseverance and care while it'll be months before cannabis clubs can start to function.

Longer-term, he claims criminal networks will adapt and even "infiltrate" the social clubs while enforcing the law, which will be a "mammoth" task to handle.

Smoking weed within 100m (328ft) of a children's playgrounds, schools or sports centres - for example - is not allowed.

In busy, crowded cities, it may take some dedication to find a spot to light up a spliff that's actually, technically, legal.

There's also the problem of how police will be able to tell the difference between a consumer and a dealer, if a person is able to carry up to 25g of the drug - enough for dozens of joints.

Concerns that cannabis can be addictive and adversely affect mental health have also been voiced by groups such as the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME).
Cannabis
Lighting up a joint legally might still prove tricky in some cities

The new measures will "increase use and health related harms, especially among youth," says CPME Vice President, Professor Ray Walley.

Given under 18s can't take advantage of the new laws, it's thought that many young people will still resort to drug dealers.

Germany is one on a long list of nations that have wrestled with the pros and cons of decriminalising marijuana.

The government in Berlin cited a 2021 survey which found 10.7% of men and 6.8% of women had used cannabis at least once in the past 12 months, most commonly in the 18-24 age group.

No approach yet exists that's been "truly successful" in killing the black market or preventing youth issues, according to Dr Robin Hofmann - an assistant professor for criminal law and criminology at Maastricht University.
Reuters Pro-cannabis protester in BerlinReuters
Campaigners have got their way - though some politicians have vowed to repeal the law change

Curbing the black market is a goal that "hasn't been fully achieved" even in countries where the drug has been properly legalised, such as in Canada or Uruguay.

"It's a long process," says Dr Hofmann, "A marathon, not a sprint."

Germany's journey towards part-decriminalisation has similarly been a long road, in a debate typically pitting left-wingers against conservatives.

This proposal emerged in 2021 when the three ruling parties carved out their coalition agreement, following years of stasis under former conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The party Ms Merkel headed, the Christian Democratic Union party (CDU), has already pledged to reverse the changes if it wins power at the next election.

Marcel Ritschel accepts that the change he's long campaigned for might not last the decade.

"Maybe we have two years and then it's all over."
"Some German people drink their beer after work. We just want to smoke our weed."

So says Marcel Ritschel who's celebrating as Germany - traditionally "beer land" - becomes a more cannabis-friendly country.

Germany has, as of 1 April, partly decriminalised marijuana use.

But police unions are warning of real-world harm. The law-change may have come on April Fool's Day but for them it is no joke.

We meet Marcel Ritschel in the Neustadt area in Dresden, the heart of the city's alternative scene.

Here, as in other places, it wasn't hard to find people openly smoking joints even before the rules were relaxed.

That's one of the arguments behind decriminalisation; millions of people were smoking the stuff anyway.

It will help kill the black market and improve quality control - say supporters.
Presentational grey line
What are the new rules?

From 1 April

    Over 18s can possess up to 25g of cannabis in public
    Adults can grow up to three plants, per household
    But people won't be allowed to smoke joints within sight of schools, sports centres or in "pedestrian zones" between 7:00 and 20:00

From 1 July

    Growers associations or "social clubs" can be established with up to 500 members
    Members must be over 18 and live in Germany
    The clubs can grow and distribute the drug on a strictly not-for-profit basis
    Consuming the drug on site will not be allowed

Presentational grey line

Mr Ritschel is planning on setting up a growers association or "cannabis social club" that will be allowed under the law, from July.

"A gardening club but for hemp," as he describes it.

"Every gram that goes from the cannabis social club is one gram that's not on the black market," he says. "So it's a win-win situation."
Cannabis
Adults will be allowed to grow up to three cannabis plants per household

These places won't be like the famed Amsterdam-style cannabis coffee shops, which have themselves been hotly debated in the Netherlands.

The not-for-profit clubs in Germany are supposed to be only for people who actually live here, in order to stop a wave of tourists pouring in to enjoy liberal cannabis laws.

There are many caveats and complexities within the legislation; a product of the political controversy that's forced the plans - as originally envisaged - to be watered down.

The halfway house has left people disgruntled, on both sides of the debate.

There are warnings that 1 April will mark the start of a "chaos phase" for Germany.

"We assume that the black market will be strengthened," says Alexander Poitz from Gewerkschaft der Polizei (GdP), the German Police Union.
Alexander Poitz
Alexander Poitz fears that criminal networks will quickly adapt to the law change

He believes that demand will quickly outstrip legal supply given growing weed at home requires perseverance and care while it'll be months before cannabis clubs can start to function.

Longer-term, he claims criminal networks will adapt and even "infiltrate" the social clubs while enforcing the law, which will be a "mammoth" task to handle.

Smoking weed within 100m (328ft) of a children's playgrounds, schools or sports centres - for example - is not allowed.

In busy, crowded cities, it may take some dedication to find a spot to light up a spliff that's actually, technically, legal.

There's also the problem of how police will be able to tell the difference between a consumer and a dealer, if a person is able to carry up to 25g of the drug - enough for dozens of joints.

Concerns that cannabis can be addictive and adversely affect mental health have also been voiced by groups such as the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME).
Cannabis
Lighting up a joint legally might still prove tricky in some cities

The new measures will "increase use and health related harms, especially among youth," says CPME Vice President, Professor Ray Walley.

Given under 18s can't take advantage of the new laws, it's thought that many young people will still resort to drug dealers.

Germany is one on a long list of nations that have wrestled with the pros and cons of decriminalising marijuana.

The government in Berlin cited a 2021 survey which found 10.7% of men and 6.8% of women had used cannabis at least once in the past 12 months, most commonly in the 18-24 age group.

No approach yet exists that's been "truly successful" in killing the black market or preventing youth issues, according to Dr Robin Hofmann - an assistant professor for criminal law and criminology at Maastricht University.
Reuters Pro-cannabis protester in BerlinReuters
Campaigners have got their way - though some politicians have vowed to repeal the law change

Curbing the black market is a goal that "hasn't been fully achieved" even in countries where the drug has been properly legalised, such as in Canada or Uruguay.

"It's a long process," says Dr Hofmann, "A marathon, not a sprint."

Germany's journey towards part-decriminalisation has similarly been a long road, in a debate typically pitting left-wingers against conservatives.

This proposal emerged in 2021 when the three ruling parties carved out their coalition agreement, following years of stasis under former conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The party Ms Merkel headed, the Christian Democratic Union party (CDU), has already pledged to reverse the changes if it wins power at the next election.

Marcel Ritschel accepts that the change he's long campaigned for might not last the decade.

"Maybe we have two years and then it's all over."
"Some German people drink their beer after work. We just want to smoke our weed."

So says Marcel Ritschel who's celebrating as Germany - traditionally "beer land" - becomes a more cannabis-friendly country.

Germany has, as of 1 April, partly decriminalised marijuana use.

But police unions are warning of real-world harm. The law-change may have come on April Fool's Day but for them it is no joke.

We meet Marcel Ritschel in the Neustadt area in Dresden, the heart of the city's alternative scene.

Here, as in other places, it wasn't hard to find people openly smoking joints even before the rules were relaxed.

That's one of the arguments behind decriminalisation; millions of people were smoking the stuff anyway.

It will help kill the black market and improve quality control - say supporters.
Presentational grey line
What are the new rules?

From 1 April

    Over 18s can possess up to 25g of cannabis in public
    Adults can grow up to three plants, per household
    But people won't be allowed to smoke joints within sight of schools, sports centres or in "pedestrian zones" between 7:00 and 20:00

From 1 July

    Growers associations or "social clubs" can be established with up to 500 members
    Members must be over 18 and live in Germany
    The clubs can grow and distribute the drug on a strictly not-for-profit basis
    Consuming the drug on site will not be allowed

Presentational grey line

Mr Ritschel is planning on setting up a growers association or "cannabis social club" that will be allowed under the law, from July.

"A gardening club but for hemp," as he describes it.

"Every gram that goes from the cannabis social club is one gram that's not on the black market," he says. "So it's a win-win situation."
Cannabis
Adults will be allowed to grow up to three cannabis plants per household

These places won't be like the famed Amsterdam-style cannabis coffee shops, which have themselves been hotly debated in the Netherlands.

The not-for-profit clubs in Germany are supposed to be only for people who actually live here, in order to stop a wave of tourists pouring in to enjoy liberal cannabis laws.

There are many caveats and complexities within the legislation; a product of the political controversy that's forced the plans - as originally envisaged - to be watered down.

The halfway house has left people disgruntled, on both sides of the debate.

There are warnings that 1 April will mark the start of a "chaos phase" for Germany.

"We assume that the black market will be strengthened," says Alexander Poitz from Gewerkschaft der Polizei (GdP), the German Police Union.
Alexander Poitz
Alexander Poitz fears that criminal networks will quickly adapt to the law change

He believes that demand will quickly outstrip legal supply given growing weed at home requires perseverance and care while it'll be months before cannabis clubs can start to function.

Longer-term, he claims criminal networks will adapt and even "infiltrate" the social clubs while enforcing the law, which will be a "mammoth" task to handle.

Smoking weed within 100m (328ft) of a children's playgrounds, schools or sports centres - for example - is not allowed.

In busy, crowded cities, it may take some dedication to find a spot to light up a spliff that's actually, technically, legal.

There's also the problem of how police will be able to tell the difference between a consumer and a dealer, if a person is able to carry up to 25g of the drug - enough for dozens of joints.

Concerns that cannabis can be addictive and adversely affect mental health have also been voiced by groups such as the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME).
Cannabis
Lighting up a joint legally might still prove tricky in some cities

The new measures will "increase use and health related harms, especially among youth," says CPME Vice President, Professor Ray Walley.

Given under 18s can't take advantage of the new laws, it's thought that many young people will still resort to drug dealers.

Germany is one on a long list of nations that have wrestled with the pros and cons of decriminalising marijuana.

The government in Berlin cited a 2021 survey which found 10.7% of men and 6.8% of women had used cannabis at least once in the past 12 months, most commonly in the 18-24 age group.

No approach yet exists that's been "truly successful" in killing the black market or preventing youth issues, according to Dr Robin Hofmann - an assistant professor for criminal law and criminology at Maastricht University.
Reuters Pro-cannabis protester in BerlinReuters
Campaigners have got their way - though some politicians have vowed to repeal the law change

Curbing the black market is a goal that "hasn't been fully achieved" even in countries where the drug has been properly legalised, such as in Canada or Uruguay.

"It's a long process," says Dr Hofmann, "A marathon, not a sprint."

Germany's journey towards part-decriminalisation has similarly been a long road, in a debate typically pitting left-wingers against conservatives.

This proposal emerged in 2021 when the three ruling parties carved out their coalition agreement, following years of stasis under former conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The party Ms Merkel headed, the Christian Democratic Union party (CDU), has already pledged to reverse the changes if it wins power at the next election.

Marcel Ritschel accepts that the change he's long campaigned for might not last the decade.

"Maybe we have two years and then it's all over."
"Some German people drink their beer after work. We just want to smoke our weed."

So says Marcel Ritschel who's celebrating as Germany - traditionally "beer land" - becomes a more cannabis-friendly country.

Germany has, as of 1 April, partly decriminalised marijuana use.

But police unions are warning of real-world harm. The law-change may have come on April Fool's Day but for them it is no joke.

We meet Marcel Ritschel in the Neustadt area in Dresden, the heart of the city's alternative scene.

Here, as in other places, it wasn't hard to find people openly smoking joints even before the rules were relaxed.

That's one of the arguments behind decriminalisation; millions of people were smoking the stuff anyway.

It will help kill the black market and improve quality control - say supporters.
Presentational grey line
What are the new rules?

From 1 April

    Over 18s can possess up to 25g of cannabis in public
    Adults can grow up to three plants, per household
    But people won't be allowed to smoke joints within sight of schools, sports centres or in "pedestrian zones" between 7:00 and 20:00

From 1 July

    Growers associations or "social clubs" can be established with up to 500 members
    Members must be over 18 and live in Germany
    The clubs can grow and distribute the drug on a strictly not-for-profit basis
    Consuming the drug on site will not be allowed

Presentational grey line

Mr Ritschel is planning on setting up a growers association or "cannabis social club" that will be allowed under the law, from July.

"A gardening club but for hemp," as he describes it.

"Every gram that goes from the cannabis social club is one gram that's not on the black market," he says. "So it's a win-win situation."
Cannabis
Adults will be allowed to grow up to three cannabis plants per household

These places won't be like the famed Amsterdam-style cannabis coffee shops, which have themselves been hotly debated in the Netherlands.

The not-for-profit clubs in Germany are supposed to be only for people who actually live here, in order to stop a wave of tourists pouring in to enjoy liberal cannabis laws.

There are many caveats and complexities within the legislation; a product of the political controversy that's forced the plans - as originally envisaged - to be watered down.

The halfway house has left people disgruntled, on both sides of the debate.

There are warnings that 1 April will mark the start of a "chaos phase" for Germany.

"We assume that the black market will be strengthened," says Alexander Poitz from Gewerkschaft der Polizei (GdP), the German Police Union.
Alexander Poitz
Alexander Poitz fears that criminal networks will quickly adapt to the law change

He believes that demand will quickly outstrip legal supply given growing weed at home requires perseverance and care while it'll be months before cannabis clubs can start to function.

Longer-term, he claims criminal networks will adapt and even "infiltrate" the social clubs while enforcing the law, which will be a "mammoth" task to handle.

Smoking weed within 100m (328ft) of a children's playgrounds, schools or sports centres - for example - is not allowed.

In busy, crowded cities, it may take some dedication to find a spot to light up a spliff that's actually, technically, legal.

There's also the problem of how police will be able to tell the difference between a consumer and a dealer, if a person is able to carry up to 25g of the drug - enough for dozens of joints.

Concerns that cannabis can be addictive and adversely affect mental health have also been voiced by groups such as the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME).
Cannabis
Lighting up a joint legally might still prove tricky in some cities

The new measures will "increase use and health related harms, especially among youth," says CPME Vice President, Professor Ray Walley.

Given under 18s can't take advantage of the new laws, it's thought that many young people will still resort to drug dealers.

Germany is one on a long list of nations that have wrestled with the pros and cons of decriminalising marijuana.

The government in Berlin cited a 2021 survey which found 10.7% of men and 6.8% of women had used cannabis at least once in the past 12 months, most commonly in the 18-24 age group.

No approach yet exists that's been "truly successful" in killing the black market or preventing youth issues, according to Dr Robin Hofmann - an assistant professor for criminal law and criminology at Maastricht University.
Reuters Pro-cannabis protester in BerlinReuters
Campaigners have got their way - though some politicians have vowed to repeal the law change

Curbing the black market is a goal that "hasn't been fully achieved" even in countries where the drug has been properly legalised, such as in Canada or Uruguay.

"It's a long process," says Dr Hofmann, "A marathon, not a sprint."

Germany's journey towards part-decriminalisation has similarly been a long road, in a debate typically pitting left-wingers against conservatives.

This proposal emerged in 2021 when the three ruling parties carved out their coalition agreement, following years of stasis under former conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The party Ms Merkel headed, the Christian Democratic Union party (CDU), has already pledged to reverse the changes if it wins power at the next election.

Marcel Ritschel accepts that the change he's long campaigned for might not last the decade.

"Maybe we have two years and then it's all over."
"Some German people drink their beer after work. We just want to smoke our weed."

So says Marcel Ritschel who's celebrating as Germany - traditionally "beer land" - becomes a more cannabis-friendly country.

Germany has, as of 1 April, partly decriminalised marijuana use.

But police unions are warning of real-world harm. The law-change may have come on April Fool's Day but for them it is no joke.

We meet Marcel Ritschel in the Neustadt area in Dresden, the heart of the city's alternative scene.

Here, as in other places, it wasn't hard to find people openly smoking joints even before the rules were relaxed.

That's one of the arguments behind decriminalisation; millions of people were smoking the stuff anyway.

It will help kill the black market and improve quality control - say supporters.
Presentational grey line
What are the new rules?

From 1 April

    Over 18s can possess up to 25g of cannabis in public
    Adults can grow up to three plants, per household
    But people won't be allowed to smoke joints within sight of schools, sports centres or in "pedestrian zones" between 7:00 and 20:00

From 1 July

    Growers associations or "social clubs" can be established with up to 500 members
    Members must be over 18 and live in Germany
    The clubs can grow and distribute the drug on a strictly not-for-profit basis
    Consuming the drug on site will not be allowed

Presentational grey line

Mr Ritschel is planning on setting up a growers association or "cannabis social club" that will be allowed under the law, from July.

"A gardening club but for hemp," as he describes it.

"Every gram that goes from the cannabis social club is one gram that's not on the black market," he says. "So it's a win-win situation."
Cannabis
Adults will be allowed to grow up to three cannabis plants per household

These places won't be like the famed Amsterdam-style cannabis coffee shops, which have themselves been hotly debated in the Netherlands.

The not-for-profit clubs in Germany are supposed to be only for people who actually live here, in order to stop a wave of tourists pouring in to enjoy liberal cannabis laws.

There are many caveats and complexities within the legislation; a product of the political controversy that's forced the plans - as originally envisaged - to be watered down.

The halfway house has left people disgruntled, on both sides of the debate.

There are warnings that 1 April will mark the start of a "chaos phase" for Germany.

"We assume that the black market will be strengthened," says Alexander Poitz from Gewerkschaft der Polizei (GdP), the German Police Union.
Alexander Poitz
Alexander Poitz fears that criminal networks will quickly adapt to the law change

He believes that demand will quickly outstrip legal supply given growing weed at home requires perseverance and care while it'll be months before cannabis clubs can start to function.

Longer-term, he claims criminal networks will adapt and even "infiltrate" the social clubs while enforcing the law, which will be a "mammoth" task to handle.

Smoking weed within 100m (328ft) of a children's playgrounds, schools or sports centres - for example - is not allowed.

In busy, crowded cities, it may take some dedication to find a spot to light up a spliff that's actually, technically, legal.

There's also the problem of how police will be able to tell the difference between a consumer and a dealer, if a person is able to carry up to 25g of the drug - enough for dozens of joints.

Concerns that cannabis can be addictive and adversely affect mental health have also been voiced by groups such as the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME).
Cannabis
Lighting up a joint legally might still prove tricky in some cities

The new measures will "increase use and health related harms, especially among youth," says CPME Vice President, Professor Ray Walley.

Given under 18s can't take advantage of the new laws, it's thought that many young people will still resort to drug dealers.

Germany is one on a long list of nations that have wrestled with the pros and cons of decriminalising marijuana.

The government in Berlin cited a 2021 survey which found 10.7% of men and 6.8% of women had used cannabis at least once in the past 12 months, most commonly in the 18-24 age group.

No approach yet exists that's been "truly successful" in killing the black market or preventing youth issues, according to Dr Robin Hofmann - an assistant professor for criminal law and criminology at Maastricht University.
Reuters Pro-cannabis protester in BerlinReuters
Campaigners have got their way - though some politicians have vowed to repeal the law change

Curbing the black market is a goal that "hasn't been fully achieved" even in countries where the drug has been properly legalised, such as in Canada or Uruguay.

"It's a long process," says Dr Hofmann, "A marathon, not a sprint."

Germany's journey towards part-decriminalisation has similarly been a long road, in a debate typically pitting left-wingers against conservatives.

This proposal emerged in 2021 when the three ruling parties carved out their coalition agreement, following years of stasis under former conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The party Ms Merkel headed, the Christian Democratic Union party (CDU), has already pledged to reverse the changes if it wins power at the next election.

Marcel Ritschel accepts that the change he's long campaigned for might not last the decade.

"Maybe we have two years and then it's all over."
"Some German people drink their beer after work. We just want to smoke our weed."

So says Marcel Ritschel who's celebrating as Germany - traditionally "beer land" - becomes a more cannabis-friendly country.

Germany has, as of 1 April, partly decriminalised marijuana use.

But police unions are warning of real-world harm. The law-change may have come on April Fool's Day but for them it is no joke.

We meet Marcel Ritschel in the Neustadt area in Dresden, the heart of the city's alternative scene.

Here, as in other places, it wasn't hard to find people openly smoking joints even before the rules were relaxed.

That's one of the arguments behind decriminalisation; millions of people were smoking the stuff anyway.

It will help kill the black market and improve quality control - say supporters.
Presentational grey line
What are the new rules?

From 1 April

    Over 18s can possess up to 25g of cannabis in public
    Adults can grow up to three plants, per household
    But people won't be allowed to smoke joints within sight of schools, sports centres or in "pedestrian zones" between 7:00 and 20:00

From 1 July

    Growers associations or "social clubs" can be established with up to 500 members
    Members must be over 18 and live in Germany
    The clubs can grow and distribute the drug on a strictly not-for-profit basis
    Consuming the drug on site will not be allowed

Presentational grey line

Mr Ritschel is planning on setting up a growers association or "cannabis social club" that will be allowed under the law, from July.

"A gardening club but for hemp," as he describes it.

"Every gram that goes from the cannabis social club is one gram that's not on the black market," he says. "So it's a win-win situation."
Cannabis
Adults will be allowed to grow up to three cannabis plants per household

These places won't be like the famed Amsterdam-style cannabis coffee shops, which have themselves been hotly debated in the Netherlands.

The not-for-profit clubs in Germany are supposed to be only for people who actually live here, in order to stop a wave of tourists pouring in to enjoy liberal cannabis laws.

There are many caveats and complexities within the legislation; a product of the political controversy that's forced the plans - as originally envisaged - to be watered down.

The halfway house has left people disgruntled, on both sides of the debate.

There are warnings that 1 April will mark the start of a "chaos phase" for Germany.

"We assume that the black market will be strengthened," says Alexander Poitz from Gewerkschaft der Polizei (GdP), the German Police Union.
Alexander Poitz
Alexander Poitz fears that criminal networks will quickly adapt to the law change

He believes that demand will quickly outstrip legal supply given growing weed at home requires perseverance and care while it'll be months before cannabis clubs can start to function.

Longer-term, he claims criminal networks will adapt and even "infiltrate" the social clubs while enforcing the law, which will be a "mammoth" task to handle.

Smoking weed within 100m (328ft) of a children's playgrounds, schools or sports centres - for example - is not allowed.

In busy, crowded cities, it may take some dedication to find a spot to light up a spliff that's actually, technically, legal.

There's also the problem of how police will be able to tell the difference between a consumer and a dealer, if a person is able to carry up to 25g of the drug - enough for dozens of joints.

Concerns that cannabis can be addictive and adversely affect mental health have also been voiced by groups such as the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME).
Cannabis
Lighting up a joint legally might still prove tricky in some cities

The new measures will "increase use and health related harms, especially among youth," says CPME Vice President, Professor Ray Walley.

Given under 18s can't take advantage of the new laws, it's thought that many young people will still resort to drug dealers.

Germany is one on a long list of nations that have wrestled with the pros and cons of decriminalising marijuana.

The government in Berlin cited a 2021 survey which found 10.7% of men and 6.8% of women had used cannabis at least once in the past 12 months, most commonly in the 18-24 age group.

No approach yet exists that's been "truly successful" in killing the black market or preventing youth issues, according to Dr Robin Hofmann - an assistant professor for criminal law and criminology at Maastricht University.
Reuters Pro-cannabis protester in BerlinReuters
Campaigners have got their way - though some politicians have vowed to repeal the law change

Curbing the black market is a goal that "hasn't been fully achieved" even in countries where the drug has been properly legalised, such as in Canada or Uruguay.

"It's a long process," says Dr Hofmann, "A marathon, not a sprint."

Germany's journey towards part-decriminalisation has similarly been a long road, in a debate typically pitting left-wingers against conservatives.

This proposal emerged in 2021 when the three ruling parties carved out their coalition agreement, following years of stasis under former conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The party Ms Merkel headed, the Christian Democratic Union party (CDU), has already pledged to reverse the changes if it wins power at the next election.

Marcel Ritschel accepts that the change he's long campaigned for might not last the decade.

"Maybe we have two years and then it's all over."
"Some German people drink their beer after work. We just want to smoke our weed."

So says Marcel Ritschel who's celebrating as Germany - traditionally "beer land" - becomes a more cannabis-friendly country.

Germany has, as of 1 April, partly decriminalised marijuana use.

But police unions are warning of real-world harm. The law-change may have come on April Fool's Day but for them it is no joke.

We meet Marcel Ritschel in the Neustadt area in Dresden, the heart of the city's alternative scene.

Here, as in other places, it wasn't hard to find people openly smoking joints even before the rules were relaxed.

That's one of the arguments behind decriminalisation; millions of people were smoking the stuff anyway.

It will help kill the black market and improve quality control - say supporters.
Presentational grey line
What are the new rules?

From 1 April

    Over 18s can possess up to 25g of cannabis in public
    Adults can grow up to three plants, per household
    But people won't be allowed to smoke joints within sight of schools, sports centres or in "pedestrian zones" between 7:00 and 20:00

From 1 July

    Growers associations or "social clubs" can be established with up to 500 members
    Members must be over 18 and live in Germany
    The clubs can grow and distribute the drug on a strictly not-for-profit basis
    Consuming the drug on site will not be allowed

Presentational grey line

Mr Ritschel is planning on setting up a growers association or "cannabis social club" that will be allowed under the law, from July.

"A gardening club but for hemp," as he describes it.

"Every gram that goes from the cannabis social club is one gram that's not on the black market," he says. "So it's a win-win situation."
Cannabis
Adults will be allowed to grow up to three cannabis plants per household

These places won't be like the famed Amsterdam-style cannabis coffee shops, which have themselves been hotly debated in the Netherlands.

The not-for-profit clubs in Germany are supposed to be only for people who actually live here, in order to stop a wave of tourists pouring in to enjoy liberal cannabis laws.

There are many caveats and complexities within the legislation; a product of the political controversy that's forced the plans - as originally envisaged - to be watered down.

The halfway house has left people disgruntled, on both sides of the debate.

There are warnings that 1 April will mark the start of a "chaos phase" for Germany.

"We assume that the black market will be strengthened," says Alexander Poitz from Gewerkschaft der Polizei (GdP), the German Police Union.
Alexander Poitz
Alexander Poitz fears that criminal networks will quickly adapt to the law change

He believes that demand will quickly outstrip legal supply given growing weed at home requires perseverance and care while it'll be months before cannabis clubs can start to function.

Longer-term, he claims criminal networks will adapt and even "infiltrate" the social clubs while enforcing the law, which will be a "mammoth" task to handle.

Smoking weed within 100m (328ft) of a children's playgrounds, schools or sports centres - for example - is not allowed.

In busy, crowded cities, it may take some dedication to find a spot to light up a spliff that's actually, technically, legal.

There's also the problem of how police will be able to tell the difference between a consumer and a dealer, if a person is able to carry up to 25g of the drug - enough for dozens of joints.

Concerns that cannabis can be addictive and adversely affect mental health have also been voiced by groups such as the Standing Committee of European Doctors (CPME).
Cannabis
Lighting up a joint legally might still prove tricky in some cities

The new measures will "increase use and health related harms, especially among youth," says CPME Vice President, Professor Ray Walley.

Given under 18s can't take advantage of the new laws, it's thought that many young people will still resort to drug dealers.

Germany is one on a long list of nations that have wrestled with the pros and cons of decriminalising marijuana.

The government in Berlin cited a 2021 survey which found 10.7% of men and 6.8% of women had used cannabis at least once in the past 12 months, most commonly in the 18-24 age group.

No approach yet exists that's been "truly successful" in killing the black market or preventing youth issues, according to Dr Robin Hofmann - an assistant professor for criminal law and criminology at Maastricht University.
Reuters Pro-cannabis protester in BerlinReuters
Campaigners have got their way - though some politicians have vowed to repeal the law change

Curbing the black market is a goal that "hasn't been fully achieved" even in countries where the drug has been properly legalised, such as in Canada or Uruguay.

"It's a long process," says Dr Hofmann, "A marathon, not a sprint."

Germany's journey towards part-decriminalisation has similarly been a long road, in a debate typically pitting left-wingers against conservatives.

This proposal emerged in 2021 when the three ruling parties carved out their coalition agreement, following years of stasis under former conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The party Ms Merkel headed, the Christian Democratic Union party (CDU), has already pledged to reverse the changes if it wins power at the next election.

Marcel Ritschel accepts that the change he's long campaigned for might not last the decade.

"Maybe we have two years and then it's all over."
legendary
Activity: 2366
Merit: 1624
Do not die for Putin
March 12, 2018, 05:25:53 AM
#2
Hola a todos.

Yo pensaba que lo de la computación cuántica aún era ciencia ficción, pero parece que ya es una realidad.

Hoy, leyendo sobre el tema, me entero que Google ya ha anunciado un procesador de 72 cúbits; y que Intel e IBM ya lo habían hecho con anterioridad con uno de 49 y 50 cúbits respectivamente.

Llegado este momento, uno se pregunta: ¿es una amenaza esto para la seguridad del Bitcoin? ¿Está previsto tomar alguna medida para dotar al Bitcoin de seguridad “post-cuántica”?

Un saludo.


Todavía no esta claro que es lo que la computación cuántica va a poder y no poder hacer por lo cual cualquier medida contra la misma podría desde ser inútil a ser innecesaria. El proyecto más conocido al respecto es QRL, el "quantum resistant ledger" pero no tiene relación con bitcoin.
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March 11, 2018, 06:15:02 PM
#1
Hola a todos.

Yo pensaba que lo de la computación cuántica aún era ciencia ficción, pero parece que ya es una realidad.

Hoy, leyendo sobre el tema, me entero que Google ya ha anunciado un procesador de 72 cúbits; y que Intel e IBM ya lo habían hecho con anterioridad con uno de 49 y 50 cúbits respectivamente.

Llegado este momento, uno se pregunta: ¿es una amenaza esto para la seguridad del Bitcoin? ¿Está previsto tomar alguna medida para dotar al Bitcoin de seguridad “post-cuántica”?

Un saludo.
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