One Year After Cannabis Reform, Future of Legal Weed in Germany Uncertain

Cannabis Reform Marks One-Year Anniversary Amid Political Uncertainty

April 2025 marks the first anniversary of Germany’s partial cannabis legalization. The reform, which allowed adults to possess and grow limited amounts of cannabis for personal use, was heralded as a significant shift in the country’s drug policy. Yet, just one year later, the future of the law is under serious threat as coalition negotiations between the CDU/CSU and SPD unfold. While cannabis consumers and cannabis clubs hoped the change would bring stability and legitimacy, the situation remains unstable — legally, politically, and economically.

Since April 1, 2024, adults in Germany have been permitted to possess up to 25 grams of cannabis in public and up to 50 grams at home. The cultivation of up to three plants per person is allowed, and non-commercial cannabis associations, also known as Cannabis Social Clubs, can distribute up to 50 grams per month to members. However, consumption near schools, playgrounds, and sports facilities remains prohibited, and sharing cannabis is still illegal.

Cannabis Social Clubs Face Delays, Demand Outpaces Supply

Cannabis Social Clubs were envisioned as the cornerstone of legal cannabis distribution. Yet, many clubs have faced bureaucratic delays and logistical hurdles. In Berlin, only a handful of clubs have received licenses, and most have yet to distribute cannabis to members. In places like Schortens, Niedersachsen, licensed clubs such as the CSC Niedersachsen are operating under strict controls, including inspections and compliance checks. Club founder Hendrik Bochers reports that while operations are legal and orderly, they remain fragile and uncertain due to the ongoing political climate.

Despite demand, production is limited. Clubs are struggling to meet member needs, and many consumers have turned either to self-cultivation or to online platforms offering medical cannabis. Platforms like Quick Green and Bloomwell have flourished, providing cannabis through virtual consultations and home delivery services. Critics argue these services prioritize profit over transparency, with products often imported from Canada or the US and criticized for being low in freshness and quality.

Medical Cannabis Services Draw Criticism from Clubs and Doctors

Cannabis Social Clubs and some health professionals have voiced concern over the growing popularity of medical cannabis platforms. Oliver Waack-Jürgensen, head of the umbrella organization for German Cannabis Clubs, argues that these platforms undermine the original goal of legalization: to reduce black market activity and empower community-based distribution. Critics within the club scene refer to pharmaceutical cannabis as “pharmacy dust,” citing stale products and lack of transparency in sourcing.

At the same time, psychiatrists such as Dr. Stefan Gutwinski from Berlin’s Charité Hospital have warned of increased usage among vulnerable individuals. Gutwinski reports a rise in cannabis-related psychiatric issues, particularly among youths, and references Canadian data showing increased psychoses and hospitalizations following legalization. Experts warn that young people may now find it easier to obtain cannabis, despite the law’s intentions to limit their access.

Police and Legal Experts Call for Reform, Not Reversal

The German police union (GdP) and legal professionals acknowledge that the current legislation is imperfect but oppose a full repeal. Police representatives argue that while adults are no longer criminalized for possession, enforcement around restricted zones has increased the administrative workload. The law is described as unclear and difficult to enforce, especially in public spaces where consumption remains banned near schools and playgrounds.

Legal associations, including the Neue Richtervereinigung (NRV), caution against reversing the reform entirely. They highlight potential legal consequences, including compensation claims from cannabis clubs that have invested heavily under the promise of long-term licenses. Prosecutor Simon Pschorr warns that a full rollback would effectively amount to expropriation, with financial damages expected to be significant. He also notes the practical benefits of the reform, including reduced caseloads for prosecutors and a decline in minor drug prosecutions.

Crime Statistics Show Drop in Drug Offenses

Despite political controversy, early data suggest the cannabis reform has had measurable effects on crime statistics. According to police records, cannabis-related offenses fell by over 34 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year. In Niedersachsen alone, more than 12,000 fewer cannabis-related crimes were reported. However, police warn that a large portion of cannabis procurement still occurs on the black market, as legal sources have not yet scaled sufficiently to meet demand.

Axel Brockmann, Police President of Niedersachsen, explains that the allowed personal cultivation and limited club production cannot meet consumption levels. Authorities remain concerned that the current framework is insufficient to eliminate illicit trade. Nevertheless, many officials argue that improving the law is a more effective path than reversing it.

Political Divide Puts Legalization at Risk

The biggest threat to Germany’s cannabis law now comes from political developments. The CDU/CSU, currently in negotiations to form a new government with the SPD, have made clear their intent to dismantle the reform. Markus Söder and other Union leaders have described the law as dangerous and irresponsible, claiming it endangers youth and benefits organized crime. The party’s platform includes the immediate repeal of the cannabis legislation if they assume power.

The SPD, while not historically supportive of full legalization, backed the reform as part of the previous coalition and now advocates for its improvement. SPD leaders argue that legalization, when properly implemented, strengthens youth protection and weakens criminal networks. Interior officials in SPD-led states like Niedersachsen have called for changes to the law rather than its repeal, including lowering possession limits and increasing protections for children.

Cannabis policy has not been a top priority in coalition talks, but the stakes are high. A repeal could trigger widespread legal and financial complications, not to mention social unrest among consumers and clubs who embraced legalization in good faith.

Public Opinion Remains Divided

A recent poll conducted by YouGov reveals a divided public. Thirty-eight percent of respondents support reversing the legalization, while the same percentage favor keeping the current framework. Eleven percent want further liberalization, and 13 percent did not state an opinion. The vast majority—87 percent—say they have not used cannabis since legalization, indicating that for most Germans, the law has had minimal personal impact.

Yet the issue remains politically and socially charged. Reports about cannabis reform have consistently ranked among the most visited topics on the Bundestag’s website over the past year, demonstrating strong public interest and concern about the direction of drug policy in Germany.

Uncertain Future for Cannabis Clubs and Consumers

For now, Cannabis Social Clubs like the one in Schortens continue operating under strict regulation and watchful eyes. But their future — along with that of Germany’s entire cannabis framework — will depend on the outcome of coalition negotiations and the political will to either strengthen or undo the reform.

Many in the cannabis community remain hopeful that the system can be improved rather than dismantled. Others fear a return to criminalization and legal confusion. The coming months will determine whether Germany’s experiment with cannabis reform becomes a long-term shift or a short-lived political detour.