Cannabis Clubs: Germany Introduces Strict Regulations

The German government is introducing a new law that aims to clamp down on the commercialization of cannabis associations, known locally as “cannabis clubs.” These changes follow recent reforms that were intended to relax regulations on the use and cultivation of cannabis by private associations.

The Cannabis Act (CanG), introduced last month, allows the creation of associations that can supply their members with up to 50 grams of cannabis per month. These changes have been met with mixed reactions, highlighting the difficulty of bringing local laws into line with international standards that still classify cannabis as a controlled substance.

New regulations and their goals

According to a leaked draft law published by Augsburger Allgemeine, the German government is seeking to tighten the regulations on these associations even further. The goal is to prevent any commercial activity that could result from the distribution of cannabis to club members.

The new regulations prohibit cannabis clubs from operating large crops on shared land, which is intended to make it easier for authorities to monitor activities and prevent these initiatives from turning into commercial ventures.

The government plans to tighten the regulations regarding the cannabis consumption law to respond to the concerns of individual states. The aim is primarily to avoid conflicts with European law by preventing the creation of large, commercial plantations that are more difficult to control.

” The competent authority may refuse a permit if the growing areas or greenhouses of a breeders’ association are structurally linked to the growing areas or greenhouses of another breeders’ association or are in their immediate vicinity, ” the draft reads.

Cannabis clubs in Germany will have to limit their activities to small, non-commercial cultivation. Moreover, association members will have to actively participate in the cultivation, not just buy hemp.

Impact on Cannabis Clubs in Germany

The new restrictions could significantly impact the way cannabis associations conduct their business. For example, the inability to employ permanent employees or use the services of external companies will significantly hamper the development and daily functioning of these organizations.

Associations that hoped to benefit from the economic benefits of collective cultivation will have to rethink their operating models and look for alternative methods of operating within the law.

Reactions and consequences for local authorities

Local authorities have been given more powers to oversee cannabis associations, including the possibility of more frequent inspections and greater sanctions for violations.

Bavaria, which opposed the Cannabis Act from the beginning, has already introduced a catalog of penalties for offenses related to CanG, including fines for people possessing more than the permitted amount of cannabis.

This includes a fine of between €500 and €1,000 for anyone caught possessing more than the permitted amount of cannabis, and €1,000 for anyone caught consuming cannabis in the presence of children.

Summary and future

The new regulations in Germany are an important step in the pursuit of a sustainable cannabis policy that simultaneously tries to prevent commercialization and respect international agreements.

The future of cannabis clubs in Germany will depend on how effectively they are able to adapt to the new legal landscape and how local authorities apply the new regulations.

The restrictions introduced by the German government are an attempt to strike a balance between liberalization and control, which is a challenge for all parties involved. As it turns out, the road to legalizing hemp in Germany is full of compromises and unexpected turns, reflecting the global debate about this controversial plant.

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(Featured image by Pavel Danilyuk via Pexels)

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First published in FaktyKonopne. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the articles from the originals. In case of discrepancy, the originals will prevail.

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