Germany’s Cannabis Legalisation: What’s Working — And What Isn’t

Germany legalised cannabis in 2024. A new report shows what’s changed, what hasn’t — and what could come next.

Dear Reader,

A year and a half ago, Germany joined the likes of Spain and the Netherlands in partially legalising marijuana. Cannabis legalisation in Germany was meant to weaken criminal gangs and improve public health — but early evidence suggests the reality is more complicated.

While it wasn’t suddenly possible to light up a casual joint in a café à la Amsterdam, Germany established a series of “cannabis social clubs” (or non-commercial associations) where up to 500 pre-approved adult members could cultivate and consume the psychoactive substance under a strict set of rules.

People aged 18 and over were permitted to possess a maximum of 50 grams at home and 25 grams in public, as long as they smoked a sizeable distance from schools and playgrounds — unlike with cigarettes.

The controversial law came into force in April 2024 under the then-traffic light coalition (centre-left SPD, Greens and liberal FDP), largely to clamp down on the black market and reduce the health risks caused by ex…