Cannabis in Germany

Cannabis in Germany has been legal for recreational usage by adults (aged 18 and over[1]) in a limited capacity since 1 April 2024, making it the ninth country in the world to legalise the drug.

[8] Although Δ9-THC is still listed in annex I,[7] in a few cases, patients have been able to obtain from the federal drug authority a special permit to import natural cannabis through a pharmacy.

[9] On 4 May 2016, the Cabinet of Germany approved legislation allowing the use of cannabis for seriously ill patients who have consulted with a doctor and "have no therapeutic alternative".

German Health Minister Hermann Gröhe presented the legal draft on the legalisation of medical cannabis to the cabinet which took effect on 10 March 2017.

The group distributed 100s of fake cannabis plant props throughout Berlin,[23][24][25][26] mimicking their prior Australian 420 protest in 2018.

[34] The Greens, The Left, and the Free Democratic Party wanted the government to legalise the regulation of cannabis for private consumption.

Cannabis shops would eliminate this risk and prevent minors from buying the drug with the implementation of legal minimum age checks for purchase.

[35] In the coalition talks between the SPD, the Greens and the FDP that followed the federal election in 2021, the proposal arose within the framework of a government that was to be formed to release cannabis for legal distribution to adults and to sell it in licensed specialist shops in the future.

[42] A study conducted by the University of Düsseldorf in 2021 reported that legalising cannabis with a regulated market in Germany could raise more than €4.7 billion per year in additional revenue and create approximately 27,000 jobs.

The German health minister wants to make it legal for adults to purchase and own up to 30g (1 oz) of cannabis for recreational use and to privately grow up to three plants.

[51] Other voices from the Bundestag, such as Michael P. Seiter, were more skeptical and predicted that it would take a few months longer, but the law would become a bit more liberal than currently planned.

[50] On 23 February 2024, the Bundestag (German parliament) ratified the new Cannabis Act (with 407 members voting for the new law and 226 against it, with four abstentions).

Consumption of cannabis within 100 metres (110 yards) of certain areas[58] (including schools, kindergartens, public playgrounds, sports facilities and "pedestrian zones in city centers" between 07:00 and 20:00) is prohibited.

[2] The creation and possession of cannabis edibles remains illegal due to posing an alleged risk to minors.