Is Cannabis Legal in Germany? | Legal Status Explained

CAs of April 1, 2024, Germany has partially legalised cannabis for recreational use, making it the largest European Union country to do so. Adults aged 18 and over are permitted to possess up to 25 grams of cannabis in public and up to 50 grams at home. Additionally, individuals are allowed to cultivate up to three cannabis plants for personal use. However, the commercial sale of cannabis remains illegal, and tourists are not permitted to purchase cannabis legally within Germany. Consumption is prohibited within 100 meters of schools, kindergartens, public playgrounds, sports facilities, and pedestrian zones in city centres between 7:00 and 20:00.

Medical Use

Medical cannabis has been legal in Germany since 2017. Patients with serious medical conditions can obtain cannabis-based treatments through a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. These treatments are available in pharmacies and are covered by health insurance under certain conditions. The medical cannabis programme is separate from the recreational use provisions and is subject to strict regulations.

CBD Products

Cannabidiol (CBD) products are legal in Germany, provided they contain no more than 0.2 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). These products are widely available in health food stores, pharmacies, and online retailers. They are commonly used for various wellness purposes such as stress relief and sleep aid. However, the sale of CBD products is subject to specific regulations, and they cannot be marketed with medicinal claims unless authorised by health authorities.

Cultivation

Adults in Germany are allowed to cultivate up to three cannabis plants for personal use. The cultivation must occur in a private space, and the plants should not be visible from public areas. The law does not permit the sale or distribution of homegrown cannabis; it is strictly for personal consumption. Cultivation beyond the permitted amount or for commercial purposes remains illegal and subject to legal penalties.

Public Demonstrations and Advocacy

Public demonstrations advocating for cannabis legalisation are permitted in Germany provided they comply with general public assembly laws. Organisers must obtain necessary permits, and events must not disrupt public order. While public support for cannabis reform exists, the government maintains a cautious approach, balancing public health concerns with individual freedoms

The Legal Framework in Brief

In March 2024 the Bundestag and Bundesrat adopted the Cannabis Act (Cannabisgesetz), removing non‑synthetic cannabis from the Narcotic Drugs Act for adults aged eighteen and over. The statute took effect on 1 April 2024, creating a national regime that permits limited possession, home growing and membership of non‑profit cultivation clubs, while continuing to forbid commercial retail sales.

Personal Possession and Home Cultivation

Adults may now carry up to twenty‑five grams of dried cannabis in public places, keep fifty grams at their primary residence and cultivate a maximum of three female flowering plants per person at home. Anything above these thresholds re‑enters criminal territory: possession up to thirty grams constitutes an administrative offence that triggers on‑the‑spot fines, whereas larger quantities revive the older narcotics penalties that can include custodial sentences.

Cannabis Social Clubs

From 1 July 2024 every German state began licensing cannabis social clubs, each capped at five hundred adult members. These associations grow the plant collectively and distribute dried flower or resin to members only, subject to a maximum of twenty‑five grams per day and fifty grams per month. Young adults aged eighteen to twenty are further restricted to thirty grams per month and material below ten percent THC. Consumption on club premises is prohibited, and smoking or vaping within one hundred metres of the entrance anywhere within line of sight also remains an offence.

Public Consumption Rules

In principle the Act allows adults to smoke or vaporise cannabis in public, yet it establishes large protection zones. Using cannabis is banned within one hundred metres of schools, kindergartens, playgrounds, youth centres and public sports facilities, and between seven in the morning and eight in the evening it is also forbidden in pedestrianised shopping streets. Local authorities retain power to impose additional restrictions at festivals, railway stations and other sensitive venues. Police have warned that enforcing distance rules may prove demanding, but early court rulings have upheld fixed penalties for smokers caught inside the buffer zones.

No Commercial Retail Market

Germany’s model diverges sharply from the North American dispensary system. The new law legalises possession and cultivation but does not authorise high‑street shops to sell cannabis to the general public. Any unlicensed sale, including peer‑to‑peer transactions, remains a criminal offence that can draw prison sentences of up to five years, or more if aggravating factors apply. The Health Ministry’s two‑pillar strategy envisages pilot projects for commercial supply chains in selected cities, yet these trials require separate federal regulations and have not begun as of July 2025.

Cross‑Border Transport and Customs

Cannabis that is lawful inside Germany is still classified as an illegal narcotic in most neighbouring states and under current EU customs codes. Carrying even a single gram across the Dutch or Austrian frontier constitutes export without authorisation and risks prosecution in both jurisdictions. German customs officers also seize incoming parcels that contain cannabis or high‑THC CBD products, and the sender faces investigation for import without licence. UK visitors should therefore consume or surrender any remaining cannabis before leaving Germany; mailing flower home is unequivocally illegal.

Summary

Germany has taken significant steps toward cannabis legalisation allowing adults to possess and cultivate cannabis for personal use. While the commercial sale of cannabis remains prohibited, the legal framework for recreational use is evolving. Medical cannabis is available under strict regulations, and CBD products are widely accessible. Individuals interested in participating in the cannabis market should stay informed about current laws and regulations to ensure compliance.