Where cannabis is booming and where there are problems

Partial Legalization in Germany: Where Cannabis Is Booming and Where Problems Exist

Sometimes celebrated as a success, sometimes sharply criticized: even after more than two years, the partial legalization of cannabis continues to spark debate. How the industry is faring – and where policymakers could tighten things up.

Among LED-lit plants, leather sofas and specialist cannabis fertilizer, the industry is courting visitors in the halls of Düsseldorf's "Cannafair" trade show. At one stand, an exhibitor explains the latest cultivation systems for cannabis clubs; a few meters away, companies are offering advice on medicinal cannabis and online prescriptions.

Anne Schmidt is busy sorting new rolling papers onto the shelves at her stand. "We are still receiving inquiries from new customers wanting to stock our products," says Anne Schmidt from cigarette paper manufacturer HBI Europe. "The market in Germany has continued to grow since partial legalization." Around 300 exhibitors and up to 30,000 visitors are expected at the cannabis trade fair over the weekend.

"Decriminalization Was a Success"

Following the partial legalization of cannabis, the organizers are keen to encourage visitors to engage with cannabis responsibly. "Decriminalization was an important step and a success," says Georg Wurth of the German Hemp Association. "The Cannabis Act of 2024 was fundamentally a decriminalization of consumers, including legal home cultivation and the joint legal cultivation within growing associations," Wurth explains. "At least the number of criminal proceedings against ordinary consumers has been drastically reduced, and that is a good thing."

Indeed, much has changed since partial legalization came into effect in April 2024. Cannabis has become more visible, new businesses have emerged, and growing clubs have started operating across the country. Duesselhanf is one example. The club has rented premises in the backyard of a commercial building in the Düsseldorf district of Lierenfeld. Cannabis may only be dispensed here to members of the growing association. The sale of cannabis to non-members is prohibited by law.

In the entrance area there is a counter, with ample space for chairs and tables. But club members are not allowed to sit down and consume here. Timon Panke of Duesselhanf is critical of the existing law. "Under the Cannabis Act, once people have collected their cannabis here, they have to move 100 meters away from the building and are then allowed to light their joint on the public street." For Panke, this regulation makes little sense: "Everyone in our club is at least 21 years old. The best solution would simply be to allow consumption on the premises. That wouldn't bother anyone."

Problems with Medicinal Cannabis?

In the view of critics, however, the real boom is now taking place elsewhere: in medicinal cannabis. Because cannabis is no longer classified as a narcotic following the change in law, prescriptions can be issued far more easily than before. According to doctors and pharmacists, this has given rise to a market in which cannabis is relatively easy to obtain through online medical practices and mail-order pharmacies.

The German government's drug commissioner, Hendrik Streeck, sees clear negative developments in cannabis legalization and is calling for changes to the current law. "In the medical cannabis sector, we are seeing an increase from 8 tonnes to over 200 tonnes per year. This is no longer about medicine. This is about the abuse of a medical structure for private consumption. We need to take countermeasures," says Streeck.

Thomas Preis, President of the German Pharmacists' Associations, also criticizes this development. A prescription can sometimes be issued after filling out an online questionnaire, without any personal contact with a doctor. "Today, you can get a private prescription with just a few clicks," Preis criticizes. He assumes that a significant portion of cannabis consumed is now obtained through such private prescriptions.

"Cannabis consumption is not without risks"

Medical professionals have been expressing concerns about possible health consequences for some time. Cannabis can have negative effects on brain development, particularly in adolescents. "Cannabis consumption is not without risks. Especially in young people and children, we see that cannabis can lead to disruption of brain development," says Streeck.

Early and regular use has been associated with concentration problems, attention disorders, and other cognitive impairments. "Only through the combination of prevention and clear boundaries can we succeed in pushing back the black market and strengthening the protection of young people and public health," Streeck said.

Hospital admissions increased, according to study

A study by the university hospitals of Hamburg-Eppendorf and Leipzig is fueling additional debate. According to the study, the number of cannabis-related hospital admissions has risen. Among adults, corresponding treatments increased by 5.6 percent, and among adolescents by as much as 14.9 percent. The admissions are linked, among other things, to poisonings and mental health problems such as psychoses. For the study, experts analyzed data from more than 70,000 hospital admissions.

According to Streeck, the actual consequences of partial legalization are to be examined. The political debate over cannabis reform therefore continues. While proponents point to legal supply and quality controls, critics see growing health risks and misaligned incentives in the prescribing of medical cannabis.