On April 1, 2024, Germany took a major step in its drug policy by partially legalizing cannabis. The new legislation allowed adults to possess up to 25 grams in public spaces and to grow up to three plants for personal use. In addition, so-called “cannabis clubs” were approved – non-profit associations in which members can grow and distribute cannabis in a controlled manner.
However, this measure was not without controversy. While some political and social sectors saw legalization as a step forward regarding public health and individual rights, others argued that it could increase consumption among young people and generate security problems. Against this backdrop, the 2025 federal elections have been a turning point for the future of cannabis in Germany. The election results will determine whether the country continues to move forward in regulating cannabis or whether, on the contrary, the measures adopted in 2024 are reversed.
German Federal Election Results 2025
The federal elections of last weekend have left a complex political scene. The conservative bloc of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian ally, the Christian Social Union (CSU), headed by Friedrich Merz, obtained 28.6% of the votes, consolidating their position as the leading political force.
Second place went to the Alternative for Germany (AfD), with 20.8% of the vote, a historic result for the German far right. The Social Democratic Party (SPD), led by current Chancellor Olaf Scholz, suffered a sharp decline, obtaining only 16.4%, its worst result in decades. The Greens of GRÜNE, who have been staunch supporters of cannabis legalization, obtained 11.6%, while Die Linke achieved 8.8%.
On the other hand, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance (BSW) and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) failed to surpass the 5% threshold required to obtain representation in the Bundestag. These results have left open the possibility of various government coalitions, although the most viable seems to be an alliance between the CDU/CSU and the SPD, as the CDU has reportedly announced that it has no intention of making a pact with the AfD.
Cannabis in Germany
Germany has been put in the spotlight after the latest news about the legalization and regulation of recreational cannabis in its territory, which should be approved in a few days. Today we tell you about the origins of this plant in German territory, its evolution over the centuries and how this happy situation has finally been reached, which we hope will inspire other EU countries.
How will these results affect the cannabis situation? Will there be any changes?
Possible changes to cannabis legislation
The fact that the CDU/CSU won the election raises uncertainty about the future of cannabis legalization in Germany. These parties have historically been critical of any kind of regulation that would facilitate access to the substance. Friedrich Merz has repeatedly expressed his opposition to legalization, arguing that it could increase consumption among young people and create public health problems.
In addition, the German Medical Association has recently called for the partial legalization of cannabis to be reversed, pointing out risks for young people and arguing that current policies have not been well implemented.
If the CDU/CSU manages to form a government with the SPD, some aspects of cannabis regulation may be revised. However, the SPD, along with the Greens and Die Linke, has supported legalization, so it is unlikely that the measure will be completely revoked.
The role of Alternative for Germany (AfD)
The AfD’s strong rise in the election could also play a role in the debate over cannabis. The party has been one of the staunchest opponents of legalization and has advocated “zero tolerance” policies towards drugs.
The results of this general election have put right-wing parties in the lead. Although the AfD is unlikely to participate in the governing coalition due to the cordon sanitaire imposed by other parties, its growing influence in the Bundestag could generate more pressure to tighten cannabis regulation.
Could the current regulation be maintained?
Despite the advance of conservative parties, some factors could help maintain cannabis legalization in Germany. Firstly, public opinion has shown growing support for cannabis regulation, especially among younger voters.
Furthermore, Germany has already begun implementing the cannabis club system and allowing personal cultivation, so completely reversing the legislation could create legal and logistical conflicts.
Rather than a complete ban, the new government is likely to impose stricter regulations on cannabis access and distribution, increasing restrictions on cannabis clubs and strengthening prevention campaigns.
Would it be possible to reverse legalization?
The spokesman for the Criminal Law Working Group at the New Judges’ Association (NRV), Simon Pschorr, believes that from a purely constitutional perspective, reversing the legalization of cannabis would be possible, although it cannot be done overnight. On the one hand, transition periods would have to be granted to already private Cannabis Social Clubs so that they could legally dispose of plant material grown at home. But even more relevant is that the cultivation licenses for Cannabis Social Clubs were granted for 7 years and are protected by the guarantee of ownership provided for in Article 14 of the Constitution.
The reintroduction of a total ban on cultivation and consumption would amount to expropriation. Clubs could therefore demand compensation from the state for the full 7 years of the original cultivation licence, which would place a considerable burden on the public purse. Pschorr also highlights the good experience the public prosecutor’s office has had with the new legislation: since legalization on 1 April 2024, there has been a major relief for justice; instead of pursuing small consumers, the freed-up resources can now be invested in the fight against organized crime.
Conclusions
The 2025 German general election has opened a new chapter in the country’s politics, with a shift to the right that could affect cannabis legalization. If the CDU/CSU manages to form a government, it is likely to try to tighten existing regulations or even reverse some aspects of the legalization passed in 2024. Pressure from the AfD and some medical sectors could contribute to this trend, although this remains to be seen.
However, the presence of pro-legalization parties such as the SPD, the Greens, and Die Linke, together with the support of a significant part of the public, could prevent a total ban on cannabis.
In the coming weeks, negotiations to form a government will be key to determining the future of cannabis in Germany. Will current regulations be maintained or will there be a retreat? Everything will depend on political alliances and the direction the next government takes.
We’ll keep you updated!
Source:
- Warum die Rücknahme der Cannabis-Legalisierung teuer für den Staat werden könnte: Interview. (2025, February 19). RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland. Retrieved February 24, 2025.
