Germany is wrapping up a momentous year for cannabis policy and industry, with major changes set to take effect on April 1, 2024. From that date, adults in Germany will be allowed to grow up to three cannabis plants in their homes and possess up to 25 grams of cannabis when outside. But the excitement doesn’t stop there – 2025 is shaping up to be another groundbreaking year for German cannabis policy and industry.
One of the most highly anticipated developments in Germany for 2025 is the launch of regional pilot trials for adult-use cannabis commerce. While EU agreements prohibit national recreational cannabis sales, pilot trials are allowed under EU law as they are research-based. This approach allows lawmakers and regulators to gather valuable information that can be used to shape national policies. Similar pilot trials are already in place in the Netherlands and Switzerland, with no reported issues.
Germany has taken a major step forward in implementing pilot trials by announcing that the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food will oversee the country’s recreational cannabis research projects, including the pilot trials. In a news release, the German government stated that the passing of the Consumer Cannabis Act has given the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture the task of appointing a responsible body for processing research applications on consumer cannabis and industrial hemp. The newly issued Consumer Cannabis Science Responsibility Regulation states that the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food will review research applications and monitor approved projects.
While this recent announcement brings Germany closer to launching pilot trials, there are still bureaucratic steps that need to be taken before they can officially begin. However, two districts in Berlin, the country’s largest city, have already announced plans to launch their pilot trials next year. According to the city’s website, the districts of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg and Neukölln will sell cannabis through specialist stores as part of a pilot project that will be scientifically monitored. Customers who wish to purchase cannabis must participate in the study and register, and they must also be residents of one of the two districts.
The sale of cannabis will be organized by a company that sources the product from legal producers in Germany or abroad and sells it to registered consumers in specialist stores. A letter of intent has been signed by the two districts, Humboldt University, and the Danity Group company. The city also stated that the application for approval of the project will be submitted to the relevant federal authorities in a hipster journalistic writing style, with space left between paragraphs.
