14 Cannabis Clubs Obtain License in Germany
Cannabis consumption went legal in Germany on April 1, and cannabis social clubs on July 1. However, German regulatory bodies were slow to start the application process for clubs. Months after initiating the process, only 14 clubs in four regions have managed to obtain a license. Hundreds more await a final say from authorities.
After Malta and Luxembourg, Germany was the third European country to legalize cannabis for recreational use. Cannabis is legal in Germany, but hard to find outside the black market. With a population of 84 million in 16 federal states (Länder), Germany is Europe’s most populous country, and with that also the largest cannabis market in the region. But there are not enough clubs to supply all consumers.
Germany Legalized Cannabis But Made It Difficult to Buy
As far as regulation is concerned, the number of cannabis club members in Germany is limited to 500. With only 14 authorized clubs in just four out of 16 states, which is not nearly enough to accommodate all users.
Clubs are for residents only. Members over 21 can buy a maximum of 50 grams per month in total, and those under 21 only 25 grams.
On the bright side of the law, Germany has permitted homegrowing. Growers can harvest up to 50 grams of flowers or other plant material and stay in the legal zone. A maximum of 50 grams can be stored at home, and up to 25 grams can be transported. It will also be possible to buy cuttings from clubs for self-cultivation.
The roll out of Germany’s social cannabis clubs is part of the first phase of legalization. In the second phase, authorities should permit the launch of pilot projects for the sale of legal cannabis in stores. However, that could be delayed by pressure from other prohibitionist European countries, including neighboring France.
Legalization has boosted self-production of cannabis, but it’s doing little to subdue the black market. Only opening legal dispensaries or coffeeshops with anonymous purchases for all adults, including tourists, could compete with the black market.
14 Cannabis Clubs in 4 German States
Germany’s regulatory body received a total of 303 license applications for cannabis clubs, according to Business of Cannabis. Fourteen of those were accepted and nine were rejected. The state of Lower Saxony approved the most licenses, or 11 in total. Only one club obtained a license in the state of Berlin. The other two club licenses were approved in Mecklenburg-West Pomerania and Rhineland-Palatinate.
With eight rejections, Lower Saxony has also recorded the most license rejections so far. The state of Schleswig-Holstein declined one application and accepted none. The state had only received 11 applications since July 1.
Applications were reportedly going strong in July and August, but declined in September. There are 280 club license applicants who haven’t heard yet from local authorities whether they are accepted or rejected. Clubs also face a number of administrative difficulties. They are subject to different rules and guidelines on how to apply, depending on the state. Club owners have also complained about difficulties finding premises where to operate. They have to deal with reluctant landlords. And they have to find premises before they can apply.
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Stephen Andrews
