Starting at the end of this year, Germany will ease restrictions on cannabis. Adults can possess up to 50 grams per month, and households may grow up to three plants. Cannabis clubs will be permitted, operating on a non‑profit model with space for up to 500 members who can cultivate cannabis on site. Purchases in each club will be limited to a small, predictable amount. For adults over 21, the monthly limit is 50 grams; for those aged 18 to 21, it is 30 grams. Minors remain prohibited from any cannabis possession or use.
The new regulation was introduced by key members of the governing coalition, including the health ministry and the agriculture ministry. The health minister has a background in medicine and previously spoke out against broad cannabis legalization, especially regarding its effects on young people. The agriculture minister, meanwhile, has publicly discussed cannabis in the past in a more nuanced light, including moments when his own cannabis cultivation was visible in a personal video from years ago.
an explicit position in the coalition agreement
When the coalition was formed, the parties agreed to pursue regulated cannabis use rather than full decriminalization. The agreement brought together the Social Democrats, the Greens, and the liberal faction, all of which endorsed a framework for legalization. The health minister will oversee the overall implementation, while the agriculture minister will coordinate the framework for cultivation and supply.
The plan emphasizes controlled consumption, possession, and sale, designed to curb illicit trade. Home cultivation remains capped at three plants, with all purchases restricted to licensed retailers. The document notes that cannabis may not be used in certain public spaces and near schools, kindergartens, or in pedestrian zones before 8 p.m., reinforcing protections for younger residents.
The health ministry had previously proposed a more permissive model in 2022, but adjustments were made after consultations with the European Union to ensure coherence with broader regional rules and to minimize conflicts with shared regulatory standards across borders.
Alongside a ban on anyone under 18, the plan keeps prohibitions in place for commercial advertising and club activities for minors, keeping enforcement strict around minors. The ministers argued that criminalizing cannabis had not successfully reduced use and had instead driven activity underground, supporting a shift toward a regulated market rather than outright prohibition.