Demonstrators urge for substitution of hostility with cannabis - Demonstrators advocate for the adoption of hemp as an alternative to expressions of hate
Berlin, Germany - Advocates for cannabis legalization and the establishment of specialized cannabis shops gathered in the city centre, near the Berlin TV Tower, for the annual Berlin Cannabis Parade. The event, which has been held since 1997, attracted protesters under the banner "For a Future Without Repression," who rallied against the restrictions on cannabis consumption imposed by the Narcotics Act.
The German Hemp Association, a key organizer of the event, demands that cannabis should be available for adults to purchase in specialized shops at reasonable prices. They criticize the current home cultivation and cultivation association laws as not suitable for all consumers and contributing to the continued existence of the black market for cannabis.
The protestors were seen carrying banners with slogans such as "Hash instead of hate" and "Yes, we smoke." Some cannabis users lit up joints during the parade, a symbolic act of defiance against the current regulations.
Berlin's governing mayor, Kai Wegner (CDU), has his office at the starting point of the final rally, located next to the Red City Hall. The final rally for the Cannabis Parade was announced for the evening at this location.
The recent partial legalization of cannabis in Germany, effective April 1, 2024, is seen as a significant milestone by the cannabis community. However, many users and advocates demand full legalization, including the right to buy in specialized cannabis shops, rather than relying on pharmacies or informal sources. This demand is driven by calls for safer, regulated access and commercial infrastructure that reflects the community’s needs and supports a legal cannabis economy.
Organizations such as the German Cannabis Business Association (BvCW) and industry players like Cansativa Group emphasize transparent public affairs, ethical business practices, and active lobbying to influence policy toward a fully regulated market, including adult-use shops and cannabis products availability.
Despite the legalization, cannabis commerce—especially regional adult-use pilot projects and specialized shops—faces delays and regulatory hurdles. Advocacy groups and the cannabis business sector are closely watching pending applications for pilot trials expected to be decided in late 2025, hoping these will pave the way for a regulated retail market beyond limited possession rights.
The cannabis culture and community advocacy for normalization and expansion of legal access are evident in large-scale cannabis events in Berlin, such as the Mary Jane expo attracting tens of thousands of visitors, which underscores the growing cannabis community presence in the city.
Scene organizations presented their ideas for drug policy at several information stands during the Cannabis Parade. One notable example was the Pirate Party, which handed out packets of cannabis seeds at their stands. The event organizers argued that cannabis consumption is less risky than legal drugs like alcohol.
As the Cannabis Parade marched along the boulevard Unter den Linden towards the government district, including the Bundestag and the Chancellery, and returned, it served as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to push for complete legalization and the establishment of specialized cannabis shops in Germany.
- The German Hemp Association advocates for lifestyles that include the availability of cannabis in specialized shops for adults at reasonable prices, criticizing current home cultivation and cultivation association laws as insufficient and supporting the continuation of the black market.
- Organizations such as the German Cannabis Business Association and industry players like Cansativa Group are pushing for policy changes to establish a fully regulated market, emphasizing transparent public affairs, ethical business practices, and the legalization of adult-use shops and cannabis products.
- Fashion and beauty, social media, entertainment, pop-culture, sci-fi and fantasy – these spheres are increasingly intertwined with the growing cannabis community in Berlin, as evident in large-scale events like the Mary Jane expo, and the advocacy for normalized and expanded legal access to cannabis.
