As the most populous country in Europe, Germany will be the second biggest weed market in the world after Mexico.

According to German media reports today, the three parties that are likely to form the country’s next coalition have agreed a deal to legalise the sale of cannabis for recreational purposes.

The Greens and Free Democratic Party have long maintained a position of supporting a regulated cannabis market and according to a representative of the policy working group responsible for the policy change, they “are introducing the controlled distribution of cannabis to adults for recreational purposes in licensed shops.”

Though it’s not clear yet whether the cultivation of cannabis in Germany would be made legal, the current changes would mean that there is quality control and it guarantees the protection of minors. The three parties also intend to expand drug-testing and allow users to check for dangerous substances and much like the marketing of alcohol and tobacco, cannabis would likely be subject to tighter regulations.

It comes as a study from the University of Düsseldorf says that legalising cannabis for recreational use could bring more than 4.7 billion euro in additional revenue every year.

As the most populous country in Europe, Germany will be the second biggest weed market in the world.

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