Germany's cannabis reform brings mixed results one year after legalisation
Two Years of Limited Legalization: Germany's Cannabis Reform Shows Mixed Results
For two years, the possession and sale of cannabis have been legal under strict conditions—a move that sparked intense debate. Now, researchers have released an initial assessment of the reform's impact.
Since April 1, 2024, adults in Germany have been permitted to consume cannabis under tight regulations, while small quantities for personal use and home cultivation have been decriminalized. As mandated by the law, the partial legalization has been closely monitored by scientists. On Wednesday, a research team from the University of Tübingen, Düsseldorf University Hospital, and Hamburg-Eppendorf University Medical Center presented an interim report.
The study's primary focus, the researchers emphasize, is the reform's effect on organized crime. Their sobering conclusion: "No increase in consumption attributable to the reform has been observed thus far." However, the report notes that cannabis cultivation associations—legalized under the law to distribute locally grown cannabis to members—have played only a minor role in displacing the black market.
A Troubling Trend: The Rise of Online Pharmacies
The researchers criticize the law's unintended consequence: the booming online market for medical cannabis. Through telemedicine platforms and digital pharmacies, high-potency cannabis flowers have become easily accessible—"a development not justified by scientific evidence and one that poses heightened health risks." At the same time, they observe a decline in prevention programs for children and adolescents. The report warns of "missteps that may require future legislative corrections."
Key Findings from the Interim Report:
Organized Crime Home cultivation has seen a "moderate" increase, but no significant rise in overall consumption has been detected—a shift that "could contribute to the financial weakening of criminal networks." However, police reports indicate that holding black-market dealers accountable has become more difficult since partial legalization took effect.
Cannabis Market Imports of medical cannabis have surged—rising by 198 percent from 2024 to 2025. In contrast, domestic cultivation associations "have yet to reach their full potential, as very few have been approved so far." The slow displacement of the black market could be accelerated by strengthening these associations, particularly by simplifying legal requirements for cultivation and distribution.
Medical Cannabis While studies confirm that low-THC cannabis (below 10 percent) can help with certain conditions, the German market is dominated by high-potency flowers (average THC: 25 percent), which carry a greater risk of psychological harm. The report urges that such products "should not be routinely prescribed." Some online platforms also engage in "aggressive marketing, at times violating the Medicinal Products Advertising Act." The researchers recommend legally capping THC levels in prescribable cannabis products.
Youth Protection The reform was intended to bolster protections for minors, but in practice, fewer young cannabis users are seeking counseling than before the law changed. The decline stems from the elimination of regular early-intervention programs. Given the "precarious state of Germany's outpatient addiction support system," the report calls for stronger funding and structural improvements.
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