The First Cannabis Association Was Licensed in Werl, Germany

The “GrüneWiese” cannabis association from Werl is the first in the Soest district to receive a license to grow cannabis. This was confirmed by Anja Gladisch from the district government upon request. A total of three of the 18 applications in the Arnsberg administrative district have been approved so far. The other applications are still being processed.

Phillip Dülberg is a board member and, together with the quality assurance officer in the cannabis association, is responsible for the cultivation. The Werl resident is happy about the approval: “A huge weight has been lifted from our shoulders,” said the 27-year-old. After all, the members have invested a lot of time, commitment and money in the project since the association was founded in mid-April and even before that. “Now we know that all the effort was worth it.”

Chairman Fabian Schaldach is pleased that “GrüneWiese” can offer a social space of its own to many very different people, some of whom were excluded because of their consumption. The many positive feedback from members is a great motivation, said the Dortmund resident.

The cannabis association has around 50 members

The association started with nine founding members, but now there are around 50, says Dülberg. The catchment area is relatively large, reaching as far as Meschede, Soest, Hamm and Unna. Demand is high. In terms of the area under cultivation, the association could theoretically support 300 to 400 members. But that is not the goal at the moment.

“Our aim is to get to know each member personally,” said Dülberg. The cannabis association will not accept people who have a recognizable problem with drug addiction, for example.

The reasons for cannabis consumption vary. Five years ago, his doctor advised him to treat his panic disorder with cannabis. This has significantly improved his quality of life: “The preparations I took before all had very strong side effects.” Little by little, his fascination with the plant grew, said Dülberg. It is incredibly complex.

For example, there are many different varieties that have very different properties. The subject has now become a real passion. “I think it’s great to give people the opportunity to make their lives more positive.”

In addition to medically motivated consumption, the cannabis association also has recreational users who want to smoke cannabis to relax and improve their well-being. The oldest member is 77 years old, only two are in their 20s, said Dülberg. In general, the club only accepts members who are older than 21. In younger people, cannabis consumption can have a negative effect on brain development.

The cannabis association wants to reduce prejudices

One of the cannabis association’s goals is to dispel common prejudices about pot smokers. “We have normal jobs and are in the middle of life,” said Dülberg, who works in product safety for a food company.

Fabian Schaldach is a mechanical engineer. He didn’t get into cannabis through consumption, but through his friendship with Dülberg and his “technical” interest in the plant. Together with his father, he cultivates algae to bind CO₂, which is produced in biogas plants, for example. Cannabis is also very good at binding CO₂. With his knowledge, he can help increase the yield of the plants.

Up to 200 square meters of cultivation area

The cannabis association has rented an empty hall in the Werl outdoor area that was most recently used for agriculture and is currently converting it for its own purposes. Overall, it is a six-figure investment. The cultivation area in the first expansion phase will be a maximum of 200 square meters. The first plants are due to arrive in two weeks.

The first flowers are expected to be harvested in early 2025. “We are doing everything we can to offer a high-quality and pure product,” said Dülberg. That is why the plants are grown from seeds and no seedlings are used. The hygiene and safety requirements are high. For example, the association must ensure that no unauthorized person can enter the cultivation area.

The cannabis association is not allowed to manufacture any processed products such as food, oils and waxes and is not allowed to produce medically certified cannabis, explains Dülberg. “But we will grow varieties that have a positive medical effect.” The association is only allowed to provide information, but not to advertise itself or make a profit, so it can only grow cannabis to cover its members’ costs.

The maximum amount that can be dispensed is 50 grams per month and member. New members must pay a joining fee of 150 euros and an annual fee of 100 euros. An additional 7 euros is due per gram of cannabis. According to Dülberg, the costs should fall once the initial investment has been refinanced.

One of the association’s main concerns is prevention work and preventing the misuse of cannabis, says Phillip Dülberg. “GrüneWiese” has therefore fulfilled its obligation to appoint and train a prevention officer. A doctor is also on board. The cannabis association does not see any risk that cannabis will increasingly become a gateway drug.

This is a black market phenomenon, says Fabian Schaldach. On the one hand, there is a lot of impure stuff there, with substances that are physically addictive, and on the other, dealers often try to sell other drugs. The example of Canada shows that legalization can dry up the black market.

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(Featured image by Terrance Barksdale via Pexels)

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First published in soester-anzeiger.de. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

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