Tag: Germany

After a year of cannabis legalization being the law of the land in Germany, a new YouGov poll has found that a minority of the nation’s citizens want to reverse adult-use cannabis legalization. Conservative lawmakers in Germany have pushed for a reversal in recent months.

“Thirty-eight percent support reversing legalization, according to a survey conducted by the YouGov polling institute on behalf of the German Press Agency. Another 38 percent are in favor of maintaining legalization within its current framework. Eleven percent support even greater liberalization with fewer restrictions. Thirteen percent did not answer this question.” reported Frankfurter Rundschau in its local reporting.

“Even after controlled legalization, the survey shows that the vast majority still don’t smoke marijuana. 87 percent said they haven’t consumed cannabis since legalization. “Yes, but not because of legalization,” said 4 percent. Accordingly, 3 percent smoked marijuana because of legalization.” the outlet also reported.

Starting on April 1st, 2024, adults in Germany can cultivate, possess, and consume a personal amount of recreational cannabis. Additionally, starting on July 1st, 2024, adults can apply to launch an adult-use cultivation association in Germany. So far, at least 133 cultivation associations have gained approval, with hundreds more currently having their applications reviewed.

Another component of the German CanG law involves permitting regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials. The research-based pilot trials will help lawmakers and regulators gather data and insight. Federal regulators are currently processing 26 pilot applications.

One year ago today, Germany enacted its historic national adult-use cannabis legalization measure. The CanG law was not only historic for Germany but also the international cannabis community and industry. Germany was not the first country to adopt a national legalization measure, but its recreational policy modernization enactment is the most significant out of the legalized nations.

Starting on April 1st, 2024, adults in Germany can cultivate, possess, and consume a personal amount of cannabis. The goal of the new approach to personal cannabis freedoms was to boost Germany’s public health outcomes by affording adults a legal way to produce their cannabis instead of relying solely on unregulated sources for cannabis.

Additionally, by no longer enforcing failed prohibition policies, the new CanG law alleviated a significant burden on Germany’s criminal justice system. The CanG law also removed cannabis from Germany’s Narcotics List, which has dramatically boosted safe access to medical cannabis in the European nation. Reflecting on the last year, members of Germany’s emerging legal cannabis industry are offering up positive reviews.

“The partial legalization of cannabis in Germany is a paradigm shift that has provided economic stimulus, improved patient care, strengthened consumer protection, and created new research opportunities. The next step should finally be to remove the nonsensical “intoxication clause” for industrial hemp and approve scientific model projects for regulated distribution.” stated Dirk Heitepriem, President of the BvCW, in a recent newsletter (translated from German to English).

“The Cannabis Act is a complete success. Despite difficult conditions, it marks a true paradigm shift – with noticeable relief for the judiciary and police, significantly improved access to medical cannabis, and an effective curbing of the black market through home cultivation and legal alternatives.” stated Jürgen Bickel, founder and managing director of Storz & Bickel GmbH (translated from German to English).

“A majority of the population supports the law. Those who want to reverse it now aren’t acting on evidence, but on ideological grounds. Let’s finally let the numbers and facts speak for themselves – not old prejudices.” Bickel also stated.

Two other major components of the CanG law, in addition to personal freedoms, are permitting cultivation associations to operate and to launch regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials. To date, at least 133 cultivation association applications have been approved, with hundreds more currently in the review process, and the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food has started reviewing 26 applications for cannabis pilot projects (per BvCW’s recent newsletter).

“Attorney Kai-Friedrich Niermann points out that, according to the law, applications must be processed within three months and that, if the deadline is exceeded, legal action for failure to act is possible, but in practice, these actions are not very effective. Finn Age Hänsel, CEO of the Sanity Group, emphasizes that the BLE will review applications independently of political decisions as long as the regulation remains in force.” BvCW stated in its newsletter (translated from German to English).

To be fair, Germany’s cannabis legalization law is not perfect. However, that is true of every single cannabis legalization model found elsewhere on the planet. Uruguay, which became the first nation to legalize adult-use cannabis in 2013, is still making improvements to its law. The same is true for states like Colorado and Washington in the U.S., both of which adopted legalization in 2012.

Germany needs to make further improvements to its law and implementation, but what the nation has accomplished in the last year is undeniably better than the prohibition policies of the past, and that is definitely worth celebrating.

In an open letter to Germany’s Bundestag, a coalition of more than 30 organizations comprised of scientists, industry members, politicians, and associations called for the launch of scientifically supported model cannabis distribution projections, also commonly referred to as pilot trials.

“The goal is to create a reliable database for future regulatory steps and to objectify the debate. The initiators argue that regulated distribution could strengthen both health protection and economic opportunities.” the German Cannabis Business Association (BvCW), who was a signer of the open letter, stated in a recent newsletter (translated from German to English).

“According to representative surveys , a majority of the population wants specialized cannabis stores. Scientific pilot projects for dispensing cannabis could represent a first step toward this goal. Therefore, we support and sign this open letter to the German Bundestag.” stated the German Hemp Association (DHV) on its website (translated from German to English).

Below is the coalition’s full language (translated) of their joint open letter to members of Germany’s Bundestag:

Despite cannabis being illegal for many years, initial surveys have provided insight into the prevalence of consumption. According to recent studies, 10% of adults (one in ten) have consumed cannabis in the last twelve months. Cannabis remains the most commonly consumed (and largely illegal) substance in the EU. However, there is still a lack of comprehensive and reliable data on cannabis consumption and its social and economic impacts.

This knowledge gap makes it difficult to make a well-founded assessment of the overall situation and its consequences. It leads to emotional debates rather than objective decision-making. The Consumption Cannabis Act (KCanG) has essentially legalized the consumption of cannabis for recreational purposes, but its implementation presents considerable practical challenges. While consumption is legal, acquisition outside of cultivation associations remains prohibited. This discrepancy between theory and practice illustrates the complexity of the issue and underscores the need and opportunity for a well-founded, data-based approach to future political decisions in the area of ​​cannabis regulation.

Evidence-based discussion instead of ideology

The importance of academic freedom as a foundation for progress and innovation is clearly emphasized in the exploratory paper of the CDU, CSU, and SPD. It emphasizes that academic freedom, enshrined in the Basic Law, must not only be protected but is also a key prerequisite for independent research and the acquisition of new knowledge—free from political ideology.

In light of the upcoming decisions regarding drug policy in the new legislative period, we ask you to continue to facilitate regionally and time-limited, scientifically supported cannabis research projects. These projects offer a historic opportunity to create a robust database for fact-based discussions and responsible decision-making – for the benefit of the health and safety of our citizens, to promote our economy, and to preserve our innovative strength.

Such open-ended studies allow for the much-discussed issues surrounding recreational cannabis to be examined on a small scale and for data-driven models to be developed that demonstrate how safety, government control, and economic growth are compatible. The goal should be to replace the ideological debate with facts in order to objectify this charged topic. Scientifically supported research projects are not intended to create incentives for consumption, but rather to research existing consumption and make it safer.

Controlled research and evaluation

What do such consumer cannabis research projects look like? Scientists have already developed diverse, regionally tailored research approaches. When designing the studies, international research approaches and findings from ongoing studies abroad, such as in Switzerland, were considered and integrated into the study designs.

By testing different dispensing models in a controlled manner (such as dispensing through pharmacies in one region and specialized stores in another), we fully exploit the potential for innovation and knowledge. Diversity instead of one-size-fits-all solutions enables the necessary comparison to determine, for example, which regulation provides the highest level of youth protection or the best health outcomes.

Independent scientific monitoring ensures that we can learn from every research approach. It is important that the research projects are regionally and time-limited, closely evaluated and monitored, and digital monitoring of the supply chain is ensured. Naturally, only quality-assured cannabis products are distributed in these controlled research projects, which also has positive effects on health protection: controlled THC levels, warnings, accompanying education for study participants, and quality-tested goods, in stark contrast to the frequently contaminated products on the illegal market, as an analysis of street cannabis from 30 German cities shows.

Economic opportunities

The controlled distribution of cannabis within the framework of research projects offers not only scientific insights, but also tangible economic benefits. Already, around 4.5 million adults in Germany consume cannabis for recreational purposes at least once a year and spend approximately €4 billion annually on it – money that currently flows largely untaxed into the coffers of the illegal market players, who must be combated.

A regulated distribution within the framework of research projects would channel at least a portion of these funds into legal channels. Legal distribution points could generate (tax) revenue, a portion of which could flow directly into prevention programs and youth protection. Furthermore, new jobs subject to social security contributions in science and industry could contribute to regional value creation.

Research institutions and municipalities are ready to go

Several German cities, including Frankfurt am Main, Hanover, and several Berlin districts, as well as more rural communities, renowned scientists, addiction support experts, and innovative companies are already lined up and willing to take responsibility for testing new solutions. We are united by the goal of reducing existing risks (e.g., from the consumption of contaminated products from the illegal market), offering low-threshold support to those seeking help, educating users, and researching the displacement of the illegal market and the scientific potential of a legal market.

This willingness to innovate must be harnessed. Germany has the opportunity to generate new knowledge through exemplary approaches. This knowledge will also be recognized internationally—we can assume a pioneering role in Europe by boldly but carefully pursuing new paths.

Appeal

Dear decision-makers, freedom of research is enshrined in Article 5 of our Basic Law. The planned projects represent nothing other than applied research into drug policy and its associated impacts on internal security, organized crime, and the protection of minors and health.

We appeal to you, also in light of the exploratory paper mentioned above, to recognize the importance of these research projects. This is not about ideological symbolism, but rather a pragmatic, knowledge-based approach that combines both economic rationality with the health and safety of citizens.

Please advocate for the rapid and unbiased implementation of scientifically supported commercial distribution of recreational cannabis in selected regions. Allow scientists to collect the data you need for informed policy decisions.

We – experts from politics and law, science and medicine, associations and industry – are ready to support you with our know-how.

Sincerely,
the undersigned

March 2025

List of more than 30 signatories from politics and law, science and medicine, associations and industry:

• Arcaden Pharmacy OHG
• Cannabis Industry Association e. V.
• Federal Working Group of Cannabis Cultivation Associations (BCAv)
• Cannabis Cultivation Association Hannover eV
• Cannabis Cooperative Hannover eGiG
• Cannabis Social Club Hannover eV
• Cansativa GmbH
• Canymed GmbH
• Cimander, Dr. med. Dipl.-Chem. Konrad F., Addiction Medicine Specialist, Competence Center for Cannabis Medicine
• Demecan GmbH
• German Academy for Holistic Pain Therapy
• German Hemp Association
• Dr. Cannabis Academy
• Enua Pharma GmbH
• Four 20 Pharma GmbH
• Gottschling, Prof. Dr. med. Sven, specialist in pediatrics and pediatric hematology and oncology, Saarland University Hospital, Dr. Cannabis Academy, German Academy for Holistic Pain Therapy
• Haucap, Professor Dr. Justus, Düsseldorf Institute for Competition Economics (DICE), Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf
• LEAP – Law Enforcement against Prohibition Germany eV
• Müller-Vahl, Prof. Dr. Kirsten R., Specialist in Psychiatry and Neurology, Department of Psychiatry, Social Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical School
• New Judges’ Association – Association of Judges
  and Public Prosecutors
• Lower Saxony Cannabis Cultivation Associations NICA eV
• Niermann, Kai-Friedrich, Attorney at Law
• Peschel, Dr. Thomas, Specialist in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Patrida Diamorphine Treatment Berlin
• Sanity Group GmbH
• Schmidt-Semisch, Prof. Dr. Henning, Department 11: Human and Health Sciences Institute for Public Health and Nursing Research, University of Bremen
• Steinmetz, Dr. Fabian, Regulatory Toxicologist
• Stöver, Prof. Dr. Heino, Social science addiction researcher
• TMG Media Group
• Association of Cannabis Supplying Pharmacies
• Vigia AG/Cannavigia
• Voitl, Elke, Head of the Department for Social Affairs and Health of the City of Frankfurt am Main
• Wurth, Georg, Expert

According to the results of a Forsa survey commissioned by the KKH Kaufmännische Krankenkasse, 55% of surveyed Germans do not want to repeal the nation’s CanG adult-use legalization law. Only 36% of survey respondents want to repeal legalization, with the rest being undecided.

The Forsa survey comes shortly after the results of a poll conducted by the German Cannabis Business Association (BvCW) found that 63.83% consider a complete reversal to be ‘very unlikely’ or ‘rather unlikely.’

Starting on April 1st, 2024, adults in Germany can legally cultivate, possess, and consume a personal amount of cannabis. Also, starting on July 1st, 2024, adults in Germany can apply to launch a cultivation association from which adult consumers can source cannabis products legally.

Another major component of Germany’s legalization law was the removal of cannabis from the nation’s Narcotics List. The removal of cannabis from the Narcotics List has resulted in a major boom for Germany’s medical cannabis industry, with medical cannabis prescriptions increasing by an estimated 1,000% in the 9 months following the CanG law’s adoption.

As we previously reported, the New Association of Judges (NRV) in Germany recently expressed a positive conclusion regarding legalization and warned newly elected German lawmakers against reversing the CanG law.

“Rolling back the law would mean that the judiciary would have to pursue small consumers on a large scale again. This would mean there would be no time to take action against organized crime.” reported Deutschlandfunk in its local coverage.

“In addition, according to the NRV, the state faces high compensation payments in the event of withdrawal. If the cultivation and consumption of cannabis were to be completely banned again, this would amount to expropriation of the cannabis clubs, it was said. This would enable the clubs to make claims for compensation against the state. The investment in cannabis cultivation is high and the licenses are valid for seven years according to the law.” the outlet also stated.

The Institute for Competition Economics at the Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf previously conducted an analysis which found that adult-use legalization could yield as much as 1.3 billion euros per year in savings for Germany’s police and judicial system.

When some people think about the economics of cannabis legalization, they tend to focus on revenue generation from industry taxes and fees, which is understandable. After all, the emerging legal cannabis industry is capable of generating considerable sums if it is allowed to legally operate.

However, there is more to the legalization economic equation than just revenue generation. There is also revenue savings involved when governments refrain from enforcing failed cannabis prohibition policies, and that is true in Germany where cannabis became legal for adult use in April 2024.

Germany’s criminal justice system and taxpayers are big winners of German legalization. Law enforcement in Germany can focus on fighting real crime, the court dockets are freed up to address cases that actually need to be addressed, and Germany’s limited public resources can be used for more meaningful public projects.

The New Association of Judges (NRV) in Germany seems to agree, having recently expressed a positive conclusion regarding legalization and warned newly elected German lawmakers against reversing the CanG law.

“Rolling back the law would mean that the judiciary would have to pursue small consumers on a large scale again. This would mean there would be no time to take action against organized crime.” reported Deutschlandfunk in its local coverage.

“In addition, according to the NRV, the state faces high compensation payments in the event of withdrawal. If the cultivation and consumption of cannabis were to be completely banned again, this would amount to expropriation of the cannabis clubs, it was said. This would enable the clubs to make claims for compensation against the state. The investment in cannabis cultivation is high and the licenses are valid for seven years according to the law.” the outlet also stated.

The Institute for Competition Economics at the Heinrich Heine University in Duesseldorf previously conducted an analysis which found that adult-use legalization could yield as much as 1.3 billion euros per year in savings for Germany’s police and judicial system.