In August 2023, Germany marked a milestone in European politics by approving the legalization of recreational cannabis. This step is part of a more progressive and controlled approach to minimize the harms of unregulated consumption and reduce criminalization. German citizens over the age of 18 can now possess up to 25 grams of cannabis in a public space (50 g in their private space) and grow a maximum of three plants at home.
This change not only positions Germany as a pioneer in cannabis regulation in Europe but also reflects a growing trend towards global decriminalization, with potential benefits for public health, the economy, and the fight against organized crime. With this legalization, the country is adopting an approach similar to that of Canada and certain states in the United States, focusing on risk reduction and creating a regulated market. Today we tell you everything you want to know about cannabis clubs and associations in Germany (CSCs – Cannabis Social Clubs).
Legal cannabis and cannabis clubs and associations
Leaving aside the legislation regarding possession, consumption, or home-growing, one of the key elements of legalization in Germany is undoubtedly the creation of cannabis clubs or cannabis cultivation associations. These spaces allow users of legal age to join together to grow and distribute limited quantities of cannabis safely and without profit. Thus, the club or association simply serves as a means for each member to withdraw their proportional share of the collective cultivation carried out by the same association, thus being a kind of “collective-growing” modality.
Inspired by the cannabis social clubs in Spain and Uruguay that have been operating for years, German cannabis associations offer a safe and controlled environment for members to access high-quality cannabis, avoiding the typical disadvantages and risks of the black market such as low quality, scarcity, poor security or even scams. These clubs have strict rules, such as a ban on advertising or limitations on the number of plants they can grow or the quantities each member can withdraw, as well as a focus on education about the plant and responsible consumption.
Cannabis clubs in Germany
As in most cases, cannabis clubs or associations in Germany are designed to encourage growing their own buds, ensure a minimum standard of quality, and prevent unregulated sales. They will operate under a strict legal framework, whereby each member of a club can receive up to 25 grams in a single day, for a total of 50g per month (30g for those under 21), and the club can grow a limited number of plants in total.
The associations are not profit-oriented, meaning that all cannabis produced is exclusively for the use of its members. In addition, the clubs will focus on promoting responsible consumption and educating their members about the risks and benefits of cannabis. These clubs represent an innovative solution to manage the demand for cannabis within a legal framework while reducing the illegal market and the associated risks we have seen above.
It should be noted that, in fact, the German law speaks of “cultivation associations” in its text, which suggests that there are differences between its model and that applied in countries such as Spain, for example. Indeed, one of the main differences between the two countries is that in Germany the consumption of flowers or extracts collected on the same premises of the association is not contemplated, while in Spain members of clubs can consume their products on the same premises. Even so, and since the term “cannabis club” has become extremely popular in recent years, it is not unusual to hear this term used to refer to German associations.
Chaos with requests
Since July 1, cultivation associations can apply for a license for the cultivation, harvesting, and distribution of cannabis. The highly bureaucratic law imposes strict restrictions on the number of members, residency and age requirements, safety conditions, minimum distance to educational institutions, and the location of cultivation land, among others. This bureaucracy and the reluctance of many authorities are testing the patience of many cannabis clubs and their members. Nationwide, 366 applications for licenses have been submitted (as of 16/10/2024), but only 34 have been approved so far (and 7 have been rejected), which represents less than 10%.
As expected, the authorities’ approach to the law follows the typical north-south divide: in the south, a more conservative stance towards cannabis prevails, and the authorities’ motivation to cooperate with cultivation associations is minimal. However, other federal states are also not making much effort to implement the new cannabis law. For example, in Berlin, it is still unclear which authority is responsible for issuing cultivation licenses.
The federal states that have approved cultivation licenses to date are: Lower Saxony (15 approvals out of 37 applications), North Rhine-Westphalia (7 approvals out of 87 applications), Rhineland-Palatinate (3 out of 27), Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (2 out of 4), Berlin (1 out of 21) and Saxony (1 out of 11).
While some clubs are already harvesting for the first time – such as CSC Ganderkesee in Lower Saxony, which was the first CSC to receive its license in Germany – most consumers are still waiting for a paradigm shift.
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 to become a member of a cannabis club in Germany
To become a member of a cannabis club in Germany, you need to meet certain requirements. Clubs are open to people over the age of 18 and usually require residency in Germany as a condition. To join, interested parties must register, which may include providing identification documents and filling out forms. As for dues, these vary depending on the club and can cover cultivation and administration costs. It is important to note that clubs are non-profit entities, so dues are only intended to cover operating expenses, and there are also limits on the amount of plants clubs can grow, which ensures that the supply is sustainable and adequate for the number of registered members: Each club can have a maximum of 500 members at any one time.
Members of cannabis clubs in Germany will have several rights and duties set out in regulatory laws. Among the rights, members will be able to receive up to 25 grams of cannabis in one day for personal use (50g in total per month) and access a safe and controlled environment for obtaining cannabis without profit. They will also be able to participate in club activities and obtain advice on responsible consumption.
As for duties, members will be required to respect the rules of responsible use and consumption within the club and contribute with fees to cover the costs of production and maintenance of the club. In addition, they must respect the amount of cannabis allowed and may not distribute or sell cannabis outside the club. Members also have the responsibility to maintain discretion regarding the location and activities of the club, to protect its operation within the legal framework. The material withdrawn may not be consumed in the club itself or the surroundings, and people between 18 and 21 years old will be limited to 30g per month with a THC limit of 10%.
These rights and duties are key to the success of clubs and the safety of the association model, which seeks to promote responsible consumption in a legalized, regulated, and safe environment.
The future of the sector in Germany
The legalization of recreational cannabis in Germany has raised expectations about the future of the cannabis market in Europe. With a country of Germany’s size and influence leading the way in cannabis regulation, other European countries are expected to follow suit, potentially leading to a broader legalized market in the region.
The cannabis sector in Germany also has enormous economic potential, with the potential to generate significant revenues through taxes, create jobs in the cannabis cultivation, distribution, and products industry, and foster innovation in areas such as medicinal cannabis and wellness products.
However, the sector will face challenges, such as competition with the black market, regulation of product quality and safety, and the need for ongoing education on responsible cannabis use. The evolution of the sector in the coming years will be key to consolidating Germany as a benchmark in cannabis regulation in Europe.
We will be keeping a close eye on this development!
References:
- Glasmann, D. K. (2024, October 21). Deutschland nach der Cannabis-Entkriminalisierung: Eine Bilanz. Hanf Magazin. https://www.hanf-magazin.com/news/deutschland-nach-der-cannabis-entkriminalisierung-eine-bilanz/
- tagesschau.de. (2024, October 16). tagesschau 20:00 Uhr [Video]. tagesschau.de. https://www.tagesschau.de/multimedia/sendung/tagesschau_20_uhr/video-1391030.html
- Seiler, K. (2024, October 15). Cannabis-Anbauverein aus Niedersachsen erntet erste Pflanzen. NDR.de – Nachrichten – https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/niedersachsen/oldenburg_ostfriesland/Cannabis-Anbauverein-aus-Niedersachsen-erntet-erste-Pflanzen,cannabis972.html
- Fragen und Antworten zum Cannabisgesetz. (n.d.). | BMG. https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/themen/cannabis/faq-cannabisgesetz#c29865
- FAQ zur Legalisierung von Cannabis | Bundesregierung. (n.d.). Die Bundesregierung Informiert | Startseite. https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktuelles/cannabis-legalisierung-2213640
