BERLIN: Celebrating the partial legalisation of cannabis in Germany, people gathered at midnight on April 1 at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin for a smoke-in. Lighting up joints and dancing to music, the smoke-in happened as Germany passed legislation whereby cultivating up to three plants for private consumption and owning up to 25 grams of cannabis is now legal, starting April 1.

Larger-scale, but still non-commercial, cannabis production will be allowed for members of so-called cannabis clubs with no more than 500 members, all of whom must be adults. Only club members can consume their product.

Germany becomes the ninth country to legalise recreational use of the drug, which is also legal in some sub-national jurisdictions in the United States and Australia.