Cannabis in Germany: current laws, legalization, bans & news

Cannabis in Germany – Do you want to know what the legal status of cannabis in Germany really is? How can you buy cannabis legally? A lot has happened since partial legalization – and more is yet to come. Medical cannabis was legalized in 2017 and “cannabis for everyone” (with cannabis clubs and home cultivation) came in 2024 with partial legalization. Here you can get an up-to-date overview of the Cannabis Act: what is legal, what is still prohibited and what is currently being discussed politically. Tip: News on cannabis law, new every week with Fantastic Life on YouTube x CannaZen stream here: Cannabis Policy News.

The current status: What has been permitted since April 2024?
With the entry into force of the new Cannabis Act (CanG), the possession and cultivation of cannabis has been partially legalized for adults. But how much cannabis is allowed?

What is allowed in Germany?
In concrete terms, this means

Possession of up to 25 g cannabis in public places

Possession of up to 50 g cannabis in a private space

Home-grown: maximum of three female flowering plants per adult person

Cannabis patients are even allowed to buy 100g of cannabis and possess it in their private space

These regulations apply exclusively to persons aged 18 and over who are resident in Germany. Important: The cannabis may not be passed on or sold to third parties.

Buying cannabis in Germany

Buying cannabis in Germany? The medical use of cannabis has been permitted since 2017, similar to what has long been the case in the USA and is now permitted in Thailand. Patients can obtain cannabis with a prescription from pharmacies. The supply is subject to strict conditions to ensure quality and safety. Recreational use has also been legal since 2024, meaning that cultivation clubs and home cannabis cultivation have also become legal.

Medical cannabis: with a prescription from pharmacies
Recreational consumption: only permitted through growers’ associations
Home cultivation: growing cannabis at home
Black market: Illegal and punishable by law

Prohibitions: What is prohibited & what could be prohibited

What is currently banned in Germany and, more importantly, what could be banned? Because the CDU is not planning anything good. But first to the current situation:

What remains prohibited?

Even though some things have been permitted, there are still clear limits. Here are the most important bans at a glance:

No consumption in the vicinity of schools, daycare centers, playgrounds or publicly accessible sports facilities
No consumption in front of minors or in pedestrian zones between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Tip: Bubatz card for locations)
No possession in excess of the permitted quantity
No sale outside medical dispensaries or authorized associations

More to come? CDU draft law 2025

Unfortunately, the tide is turning with the CDU’s new draft law.

✗ Personal doctor visit instead of telemedicine
✗ Mail order ban for cannabis pharmacies
✗ Prescriptions only possible after a visit to the practice
✗ Rural patients lose access
✗ Act now before the law is passed

Read more about the CDU’s draft law here.

Growing clubs and buying cannabis locally

Here you can find more information on all major cities in Germany:

Cannabis Aachen
Cannabis Augsburg
Cannabis Berlin
Cannabis Bielefeld
Cannabis Bochum
Cannabis Bonn
Cannabis Braunschweig
Cannabis Bremen
Cannabis Chemnitz
Cannabis Dortmund
Cannabis Dresden
Cannabis Duisburg
Cannabis Düsseldorf
Cannabis Erfurt
Cannabis food
Cannabis Frankfurt
Cannabis Freiburg
Cannabis Gelsenkirchen
Cannabis Hagen
Cannabis Halle (Saale)
Cannabis Hamburg
Cannabis Hanover
Cannabis Karlsruhe
Cannabis Kassel
Cannabis Kiel
Cannabis Cologne
Cannabis Krefeld
Cannabis Leipzig
Cannabis Lübeck
Cannabis Magdeburg
Cannabis Mainz
Cannabis Mannheim
Cannabis Mönchengladbach
Cannabis Munich
Cannabis Münster
Cannabis Nuremberg
Cannabis Oberhausen
Cannabis Potsdam
Cannabis Rostock
Cannabis Stuttgart
Cannabis Wiesbaden
Cannabis Wuppertal

THC limit for driving: What currently applies?

Since August 2024, the legal limit of 3.5 nanograms of active THC per milliliter of blood serum has applied. Anyone who exceeds this value without a doctor’s prescription is committing an administrative offense. The consequences:

500 € fine
1 month driving ban
2 points in Flensburg

But what does this mean for people with a cannabis prescription?

Medical cannabis: Does the limit apply to patients?

There is an important exception for cannabis patients: if you only have THC in your blood from taking it as prescribed by a doctor, you may exceed the limit. But this does not mean that you are allowed to drive while intoxicated! Basically:

As a patient, you are allowed to drive a car even if THC is detectable in your blood – but only if you follow the doctor’s instructions and are fit to drive.

But the important thing is:

Only consume as much as prescribed by your doctor.
Show no signs of unsafe driving.
No mixed consumption (e.g. with alcohol or illegal cannabis).
Read more about cannabis and driving here.

Cannabis clubs start

Since July 1, 2024, so-called cultivation associations – also known as cannabis social clubs – have been allowed to legally grow and distribute cannabis for their members. This is only possible under strict conditions:

Maximum of 500 members per club
Only for adult members resident in Germany
Issue of a maximum of 25 g per day and 50 g per month to one member
No commercial orientation, no advertising

These clubs must be officially registered and comply with certain safety and hygiene regulations. Unfortunately, cultivation clubs in Germany are very different from the “social club” model that you can find in Spain, for example. That’s why many people prefer to get a cannabis prescription online.

Cannabis on prescription still possible

Anyone who needs cannabis for medicinal purposes can still obtain it legally from pharmacies – with a doctor’s prescription. Many patients now use the option of ordering cannabis online, which is convenient and discreet.

What’s next? Model regions under discussion

The so-called “Pillar 2” of the law provides for pilot projects for commercial sales via specialist stores. These could start soon – if the federal states submit corresponding applications and receive approval. The aim is to gather findings on regulated sales and consumer behavior.

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Conclusion: cannabis has become more legal – but not without limits

Germany has taken a big step towards decriminalization. You can now legally grow, consume and be active in clubs – as long as you stick to the rules. If you want to be on the safe side or need medicinal cannabis, a cannabis prescription is still a safe option.