The national police association in Germany has called for cannabis use to be decriminalized.

The head of the Association of German Criminal Officers (BDK) said banning cannabis had historically never been implemented in an 'intelligent and effective manner'.

As of last March, marijuana has been available as a prescription medication to a limited number of patients.

The tide is high: The head of national police association in Germany said the law against cannabis use had never been implemented effectively or intelligently

Officials have stressed that the legalization of medical marijuana did not mean the drug would be made available for non-medical purposes.

BDK's Andre Schulz told newspaper Bild that the group favors a 'complete decriminalization of cannabis consumers.'

Legalize it: German police wants to decriminalize marijuana

Mr Schulz argued that the current system stigmatizes people and 'allows criminal careers to start.'

He added that banning cannabis use 'has historically been seen as arbitrary and has not yet been implemented in an intelligent or productive manner.

'In the history of mankind there has never been a society without the use of drugs; this is something that has to be accepted.

'My prediction is cannabis will not be banned for long in Germany.‎'

However, he told the newspaper that marijuana must remain off-limits for drivers.