Germany's cannabis legalisation stumbles as black market thrives and critics demand reversal
Germany's partial legalisation of cannabis has faced sharp criticism since its introduction in April 2024. While the law allows private cultivation and cannabis clubs, opponents argue it has failed to curb the black market or reduce demand. Now, calls to reverse the reforms are growing louder from political parties and law enforcement.
Under the new rules, adults can grow up to three cannabis plants at home. By mid-2024, nearly 300 Cannabis-Clubs had opened nationwide, with 15 approved in Hamburg alone—five of which had already harvested crops. Clubs from North Rhine-Westphalia, Schleswig-Holstein, and Lower Saxony also operate outlets in the city. Despite this, legal production covers less than 0.1% of Germany's estimated 743 metric tons of annual demand.
Police in Hamburg report that legal cultivation falls far short of meeting consumer needs. Many officers criticise the possession limits as too high, while enforcement remains inconsistent. Cannabis-related offences dropped by around 100,000 cases, but the black market continues to dominate. Scientific coordinator Jakob Manthey stated that current conditions make it impossible to displace illegal sales. The official evaluation report agrees, warning that without major reforms to cannabis clubs, no real progress can be expected. The far-right AfD and Hamburg's CDU branch have both demanded a full rollback of the law. The CDU described the figures as proof of failure, pushing for legalisation to be reversed as soon as possible.
The partial legalisation has led to a patchwork of cannabis clubs and home-growing projects, yet demand remains overwhelmingly met by illegal sources. With political pressure mounting and law enforcement sceptical, the future of Germany's cannabis policy now hangs in the balance. The government must decide whether to reform the system or abandon it entirely.
