Germany Approves Establishment of 293 Cannabis Associations One Year After Legalization

A survey conducted by the German news agency (DPA) showed authorities approving the establishment of 293 cannabis cultivation and distribution associations, one year after the legalization of these clubs. These associations have the authority to cultivate cannabis and distribute it to their registered members, subject to strict regulatory conditions.

The state of North Rhine-Westphalia, with its high population density, recorded the highest number of approved associations, followed by the neighboring state of Lower Saxony. Other states such as Rhineland-Palatinate and Baden-Württemberg also received a significant number of approvals, while states like Saarland and Bremen ranked last with a limited number of clubs or no approvals.

This is in line with the law that came into effect in April 2024, allowing for recreational use of cannabis within specified limits, including possession of certain amounts for personal use and cultivation of a limited number of plants. The law also permits the establishment of collective farming associations under strict supervision and control.

Despite the law being in effect, the issue remains a subject of political debate, as the current government has pledged to evaluate the legislation passed by the previous government.