New study shows Germany’s cannabis reform remains controversial two years on

Germany’s partial legalization of recreational cannabis—introduced by a previous centre-left government—was hailed as a landmark reform in 2024, allowing adults over 18 to use the drug despite warnings it could increase consumption, particularly among teenagers, and fuel organized crime. Yet two years later, the debate remains unresolved, with critics and supporters still sharply divided over its effects on public health, youth welfare, and the black market.

Preliminary findings from an ongoing German study released this week present a mixed picture, giving both sides grounds to defend their positions.

MPs Carmen Wegge and Christos Pantazis from the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) argued that the evidence so far supports the policy.

“The dramatic negative effects on consumption patterns or public health feared by critics have not materialised. In fact, consumption among young people is declining and the burden on police and the judiciary has been significantly reduced,” they said in a statement.

However, Health Minister Nina Warken of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), now leading the government, maintained her opposition to the reform, describing the relaxed cannabis policy as “a mistake”, as German media outlets report.

“Early intervention programmes designed to prevent children and young people from using drugs are in sharp decline,” said Warken, whose ministry commissioned the study. “Anyone turning a blind eye to this is putting the health of our youngest at risk.”

The final report is due in April 2028, on the basis of which the government will decide on the CDU/CSU’s drive to abolish the legislation.

Controversial passing of cannabis law

The legislation, which came into force on April 1, 2024, introduced strict regulations following an intense national debate. It allows adults to grow up to three plants for personal use and possess up to 50 grams of cannabis at home or 25 grams in public.

The policy was intended as a pragmatic compromise—legalizing existing adult consumption while undercutting illegal markets. However, it faced strong opposition from Friedrich Merz’s CDU and the Christian Social Union (CSU).

Despite earlier election pledges to repeal what Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt called a “shitty law”, those plans have not materialized due to resistance from coalition partner SPD.

Dobrindt has remained highly critical, calling the reform a “total flop” and arguing it is “harmful to young people and encouraging crime”. He added: “The black market is booming, crime is on the rise.”

Study into aftermath

Researchers involved in the study offered a more nuanced assessment. They found that while legal consumption among adults is gradually increasing, it is also “slowly squeezing out” illicit trade.

Regarding overall usage, the researchers concluded that “an increase in consumption that could be attributed to the reform is not apparent at this stage”.

They estimate total annual cannabis demand in Germany at between 670 and 823 tonnes, with a growing number of users cultivating the drug themselves. Around 5 million people in Germany consume cannabis at least occasionally.

Non-commercial growing associations—known as cannabis clubs—remain a limited factor in reducing black market activity. According to the interim report, they “still play a minor role in partially displacing the black market”.

Strict licensing requirements have hindered their expansion, with only 3.5% of users obtaining cannabis through these clubs last year.

Oliver Waack-Jürgensen of Berlin’s Cannabis Club High Ground said: ‘The situation with the authorities is totally unclear.’

Experts have suggested easing regulations. Kinzig recommended “relaxing these very restrictive eligibility criteria for growers’ associations slightly, so that cannabis can then also be obtained legally through these associations”.

Wegge and Pantazis warned that organized crime would remain entrenched in regions such as Bavaria, where cannabis clubs face tighter restrictions. They stressed that “it is precisely these clubs that are needed to supply people safely and in a controlled manner. They are an essential component in curbing organised crime.”

By Nazrin Sadigova