Cannabis in Germany

Cannabis in Germany was legalised for recreational use by adults (aged 18 and over[1]) on 1 April 2024, making Germany the ninth country to do so.[2] It became the first major European Union member state to adopt nationwide legalisation. As of early 2024, an estimated 4.5 million Germans use cannabis.[2]

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The reform allows adults to possess limited amounts of cannabis and to cultivate a small number of plants for personal use.[3] From July 2024, non-profit cannabis social clubs also became legal. Licensed commercial sales were excluded from the initial legislation, a decision that attracted criticism.[4]

Implementation has been shaped by European Union law, requiring a phased approach and limiting the scope of commercial distribution. Future stages may include pilot projects for regulated sales.[5]

Medical cannabis

Dronabinol was rescheduled in 1994 from annex I to annex II of the Narcotic Drugs Act (Betäubungsmittelgesetz) to facilitate research. In 1998 it was moved from annex II to annex III, making it available by prescription.[6] By contrast, Δ9-THC remains listed in annex I.[7]

Despite this, in certain cases patients were granted special permits by the federal drug authority to import natural cannabis through pharmacies. Manufacturing instructions for dronabinol preparations were published in the Neues Rezeptur-Formularium.[8]

By February 2008, seven German patients were receiving medicinal cannabis legally, dispensed by pharmacies on prescription.[9]

On 4 May 2016, the Cabinet of Germany approved legislation allowing cannabis use for seriously ill patients who had consulted a doctor and had no therapeutic alternative. Health Minister Hermann Gröhe presented the draft, which entered into force on 10 March 2017. Licences were issued by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices to companies for cultivating medical cannabis[10][11][12][13][14] and for importing it under EU Good Manufacturing Practice standards.[15] From March 2017, seriously ill patients could obtain cannabis with a doctor’s prescription, covered by health insurance.[16]

Politics

Hanfparade Berlin, 2019

The Greens, The Left, and the Free Democratic Party supported legalising cannabis for private consumption. They argued that this would protect consumers from adulterated products, reduce stigma, and prevent minors from accessing the drug through regulated shops with age checks.[17]

2021 German federal election

During coalition talks between the SPD, the Greens, and the FDP after the 2021 federal election, the parties agreed to legalise cannabis for recreational use through licensed shops.[18][19]

These commitments were formalised in the coalition agreement.[20] A 2021 study by the University of Düsseldorf estimated that a regulated cannabis market could generate €4.7 billion annually and create about 27,000 jobs.[21]

2022 German cannabis legalisation framework

In January 2022, Justice Minister Marco Buschmann confirmed that work was underway on regulations, while the Health Ministry would set the timeline.[20] In October 2022, draft legislation proposed allowing adults to possess up to 30 g of cannabis, grow three plants, and establish cannabis social clubs with up to 500 members.[22]

2023 efforts towards legalisation

In September 2023 the Bundesrat issued its first official statement on the Cannabis Act (Cannabisgesetz, CanG), which removed cannabis from the Narcotic Drugs Act.[23] Health Minister Karl Lauterbach predicted the law could take effect by the end of 2023, while other Bundestag members expected early 2024.[24]

The final draft permitted possession of up to 25 g in public, 50 g at home, and cultivation of up to three plants, either privately or through cultivation associations.[23]

2024 legalisation

Main article: German cannabis control bill § 2023 proposal

On 23 February 2024, the Bundestag passed the Cannabis Act (407 votes in favour, 226 against, four abstentions).[25][26] The Bundesrat approved it on 22 March.[27]

The law legalised possession of up to 25 g in public, 50 g at home, and cultivation of up to three plants. Adults aged 18–21 were restricted to 30 g. From 1 July 2024, adults were permitted to join cannabis social clubs of up to 500 members, purchasing up to 50 g per month, although on-site consumption was prohibited.[28]

The Act prohibited consumption within 100 m of schools, kindergartens, playgrounds, sports facilities, and pedestrian zones in city centres between 07:00 and 20:00.[25] It entered into force on 1 April 2024.[29]

The impact on the illicit market remained debated, since commercial sale outside social clubs was still prohibited.[30] The production and sale of cannabis edibles remained prohibited due to youth protection concerns, with penalties of up to three years in prison.[31]

Hemp-based food and products

Non-psychoactive foods made with hemp seeds (containing less than 0.2% THC) are common in German health food shops such as Reformhaus. Since the late 2010s, hemp foods and drinks have become widely available in supermarkets[32] and in drugstores such as dm[33] and Rossmann.[34] These stores also sell CBD products, typically THC-free cannabis extracts.[35]

Activism and protests

Hanfparade

The Hanfparade (English: Hemp Parade) is a hemp legalisation demonstration in Berlin.[36] It has taken place annually since 1997.[37]

Stencil graffiti in Aachen.

Global Marijuana March

The Global Marijuana March has taken place in Germany since 2000 and has been coordinated since 2011 by the Deutscher Hanfverband (German Hemp Association).[38]

Global Marijuana March in Düsseldorf, 2016.

Other protests

In July 2023, the protest group "Who Are We Hurting?", led by Alec "Craze" Zammitt and Will Stolk, staged a publicity action in Berlin. The group distributed hundreds of fake cannabis plants throughout the city,[39][40][41][42] similar to an earlier protest in Sydney in 2018.[43][44][45]

Culture

The Hanf Museum (Hemp Museum) was established in Berlin in 1994.[46]

References

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  2. ^ a b Booth, Rich (26 February 2024). "Germany passes law to legalise cannabis – the ninth country to do so". The Independent. Archived from the original on 27 February 2024. Retrieved 27 February 2024.
  3. ^ Thurau, Jens (23 February 2024). "Cannabis will be legal in Germany — within limits". Deutsche Welle. Archived from the original on 27 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  4. ^ Zhang, Mona; Wilke, Peter (23 February 2024). "German lawmakers pass cannabis legalization bill". Politico EU. Archived from the original on 23 February 2024. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
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