300 cannabis clubs approved in Germany a year after legalization

One year after so-called cannabis clubs were legalized in Germany, authorities have approved 293 such associations, according to a survey by dpa of state-level regulatory offices, reported dpa.

The clubs are permitted to cultivate cannabis and distribute it to their registered members under strict conditions.

North Rhine-Westphalia, a populous western state, leads the country with 83 approved cultivation associations, followed by neighbouring Lower Saxony with 55. Both border the Netherlands.

Rhineland-Palatinate ranks third with 27 approved clubs, followed by Baden-Württemberg with 23.

At the bottom of the list are the tiny state of Saarland, with no approvals to date, and Bremen, with two. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has three, Thuringia six and Berlin seven approved clubs.

Cannabis legalisation remains contentious

Since April 1, 2024, the recreational use of cannabis has been legal across Germany under certain conditions. The law allows for adult possession of up to 25 grams of cannabis for personal use in public.

Three live cannabis plants are legal, with possession of up to 50 grams of cannabis for personal use also allowed at home.

In addition, the Cannabis Act allows for collective cultivation and controlled distribution of cannabis through registered clubs. These associations must comply with a range of regulatory requirements, including limits on membership and cultivation practices.

The partial legalisation, enacted by previous centre-left government, remains politically controversial.

The current conservative-led government has agreed to conduct an evaluation of the legal changes.