Germany Greenlights Cannabis Reform: Legal Possession Starting April 1

Germany has marked a significant milestone in cannabis policy by approving a bill that ends the prohibition of cannabis for adults, making possession and home cultivation of marijuana legal in Europe’s most populous nation effective April 1. The legislation, endorsed by the Bundesrat, Germany’s legislative chamber representing its 16 federal states, received its final approval last week. Prior to that, the bill was passed by the Bundestag, the second chamber of parliament, at the end of the previous month.

Under the newly enacted law named CanG, adults aged 18 and above will be allowed to possess up to 25 grams of marijuana and store up to 50 grams at home starting April 1. Additionally, individuals will have the liberty to cultivate up to three cannabis plants at their residences.

Furthermore, commencing July 1, Germany’s cannabis reform plan will introduce non-commercial cannabis clubs, where members can access legally cultivated marijuana. Each club will be capped at 500 members. Notably, the legislation does not include provisions for for-profit recreational marijuana producers or retailers.

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach expressed his contentment with the development, stating on social media platform X, “The fight was worth it. Please use the new option responsibly.” He added, “Hopefully, this is the beginning of the end for the black market today.”

Before the final vote, leaders of several federal states called for a mediation committee to address disputes over the legislation with the Bundestag. However, the motion to convene the committee did not garner enough votes for approval. Consequently, the Bundesrat proceeded to greenlight the plan, positioning Germany alongside Malta and Switzerland as one of the few European nations to embrace limited cannabis legalization initiatives.

The legalization of adult-use cannabis is expected to have a substantial impact on Germany’s medical marijuana industry. Niklas Kouparanis, CEO of Frankfurt-based medical cannabis company Bloomwell Group, anticipates a significant surge in medical cannabis patients, possibly up to tenfold, following reclassification.

Kouparanis noted, “Starting April 1st, medical cannabis will no longer be classified as a narcotic, and can now be prescribed by physicians as a completely ‘normal’ Rx.” He emphasized the reduction in costs and administrative burdens associated with accessing medical cannabis, heralding this as a significant boon for the German medical cannabis sector.

The recently adopted limited cannabis legalization bill is considered the “first pillar” of Germany’s cannabis policy reforms. The “second pillar,” anticipated after the decriminalization plan takes effect, will involve five-year municipal pilot programs for state-regulated cannabis sales at licensed retailers.