Legalization of Cannabis in Germany: A Year Later – More Problems Than Solutions

In Spring 2024, Germany took an unprecedented step for Europe by partially legalizing cannabis use. A year later, German authorities are forced to acknowledge that the expectations of this reform have not been met. Instead of the promised reduction in drug-related crime and better control over consumption, the country has faced an increase in associated problems. The German authorities are now signaling the need to reconsider their approach to cannabis, stating: “We have created more problems than we solved.”

Background of the Reform

The initiative to legalize cannabis emerged after the coalition government led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz came to power in 2021. The coalition agreement included a promise to bring the market for “soft” drugs out of the shadows and to refocus police efforts on combating hard drugs. The bill for the controlled decriminalization of marijuana was introduced in 2022 by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach. By early 2024, the document passed through the Bundestag and Bundesrat, despite heated discussions and resistance from several regions and experts.

Main Provisions of the 2024 Law

On April 1, 2024, the law on partial legalization and decriminalization of cannabis came into effect in Germany. It significantly eased penalties for the possession and use of marijuana for adults. Key provisions of the reform include:

• Personal Possession: Adults are allowed to legally possess up to 25 grams of cannabis and up to 50 grams at home without the risk of criminal prosecution.
• Home Cultivation: Up to three cannabis plants are permitted per household strictly for personal consumption.
• Social Clubs: The establishment of non-profit “cannabis clubs” (limited to 500 members) is allowed. These associations can legally cultivate cannabis and distribute the harvest only among members, without profit, strictly within established norms (up to 50 grams per adult per month; for members aged 18-21, up to 30 grams with THC level restrictions).
• Sale Prohibition: The opening of commercial shops and free retail sale of marijuana (coffee shops modeled after those in the Netherlands) remains prohibited. Sales are permitted only through closed clubs or as a medical prescription.
• Consumption Restrictions: Cannabis use is allowed at home and in some public places, but with significant restrictions. Smoking within 200 meters of schools, kindergartens, sports, and youth facilities is prohibited. There is also a strict ban on driving under the influence of marijuana.

Criticism and Concerns

Even during the law's discussion phase, many experts warned of potential negative consequences. Opponents of partial legalization cited the following arguments:

• Medical Professionals: The German Medical Association indicated that legalization would create a false impression of cannabis harmlessness. They predicted an increase in addiction and mental health disorders.
• Educators: The Teachers' Association expressed concern that easier access to marijuana would complicate prevention efforts among schoolchildren. Despite the formal ban on minors, reduced stigma may make marijuana more appealing to teenagers.
• Law Enforcement: Representatives from various federal police agencies and the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) suggested that partial legalization would not eliminate the black market. Moreover, the relaxations would complicate the identification and prosecution of illegal trade: small dealers could use the allowed 25 grams for personal use as a cover, making it difficult for investigators.

Initial Results: Consumption and Market

Statistics collected a year after the reform began confirmed many of the voiced concerns. Official data shows that cannabis consumption among adults not only did not decline, as lawmakers had hoped, but significantly increased. According to estimates from the Ministry of Health, total cannabis consumption in the first year of legalization tripled compared to the previous year – from approximately 30 tons to nearly 100 tons. This boom is partly explained by a sharp increase in the availability of medical marijuana: after relaxations, obtaining prescriptions remotely became very easy, with tens of thousands of people taking advantage of this.

At the same time, the number of medical assistance requests related to cannabis use grew. Health insurance providers recorded an approximate 15% increase in the number of patients seeking treatment for disorders associated with cannabis use. Experts note that this dynamic is partially related to reduced stigma: people are increasingly reaching out for help, knowing that their use is no longer a criminal offense.

Black Market and Police Efforts

One of the main goals of the reform was to eliminate the illegal cannabis market through legal supply. In practice, this has not occurred. According to Holger Münch, head of the federal criminal police, partial legalization did not significantly impact the volumes of the black market. Illegal dealers still supply consumers, as legal clubs cannot cover the entire demand. Moreover, law enforcement officials report new challenges: previously, just the possession of significant amounts of marijuana was grounds for arrest; now, every adult can carry 25 grams. This complicates the distinction between personal use and small-scale trade, making police efforts against drug trafficking more difficult.

Government Acknowledgment of the Issue

In the summer of 2025, the new German government essentially acknowledged that cannabis legalization was a step that did not yield the expected results. Germany's Health Minister Nina Warken, representing the new coalition, directly termed the passing of the “cannabis” law an error of the previous administration. In an interview with the Funke publishing group, Warken stated, “Legalization certainly did not lead to a decrease in consumption. And law enforcement cites the situation as complex. Here we have created more problems than we solved. Action is needed.” These comments marked a sharp revision of the official stance: whereas a year ago federal authorities referred to the reform as a progressive measure, it is now viewed more as a risk factor for society.

Political Response and New Initiatives

Acknowledgment of the problems did not lead to an immediate repeal of the law – the ruling coalition limited itself to a promise to evaluate the reform's results in the fall of 2025. However, Minister Warken is already initiating targeted revisions of certain provisions. The area of medical cannabis is under particular scrutiny: the Ministry of Health plans to significantly complicate the process of obtaining prescriptions for marijuana remotely. Essentially, this means a ban on online consultations that allowed thousands of individuals to acquire cannabis for “medical” purposes without an in-person visit to a doctor. Warken warns of risks for youth and the need to regain stricter control over the dispensing of marijuana via prescriptions.

Conservative forces (the CDU/CSU bloc) had previously promised to repeal the law at the first opportunity, considering it a source of threats to health and safety. Now, having come to power, they are striving to fulfill these promises. At the same time, opponents of tightening regulations argue that a hasty rollback of the reform may reinstate issues in the underground market and again criminalize law-abiding consumers who have become accustomed to operating within the legal framework.

Risks for the Industry and Society

The plans for legislative revision have alarmed the nascent legal cannabis industry. Companies that invested in the cultivation and sale of marijuana through social clubs or pharmaceutical channels fear losses. If new restrictions are imposed, some consumers will inevitably return to illegal suppliers, which will hurt officially registered producers. Moreover, tightening the rules may complicate life for patients who genuinely need cannabis for medical reasons – there are fears that they will once again become victims of bureaucracy or be forced to seek the substance on the black market.

Drug policy experts note that Germany must find a delicate balance. On one hand, it is crucial to protect society from the negative consequences of widespread cannabis use, especially among young people. On the other, an ill-considered step backward could negate the progress made and return issues to the underground market. The current discussion has divided both the ruling coalition and society, prompting a reevaluation of the compromise between public health and personal freedom.

Conclusion

Germany's experience serves as a cautionary tale for other countries: legalizing “soft” drugs has proven to be more complex than anticipated.

German authorities face a challenging choice. The country must either adjust its strategy or revert to strict prohibitions. In either scenario, the key guiding principle should be the well-being of citizens – public health and societal safety. The German cannabis experiment has demonstrated that quick victories in this field are unlikely. Addressing the issue requires a measured, phased policy that considers both medical aspects and real human behavior. In the coming months, it will become clear whether Germany will opt for targeted adjustments or entirely reverse the legalization.