Nearly two years after German lawmakers approved the historic CanG law, which legalized certain adult-use cannabis activity, the Die Linke parliamentary group is demanding that the law be further implemented and improved upon.

“The Die Linke parliamentary group has submitted a motion to the Bundestag calling for a thorough reform of current legislation and the full, controlled, and consistent legalization of cannabis in Germany.” reported Newsweed in its original coverage.

“In 2024, the production of producer associations did not even represent 0.1% of total demand. Administrative and regulatory obstacles delay, or even prevent, their normal functioning. As a result, without legislative adjustments, these structures will not contribute significantly to reducing the black market.” the outlet also reported.

At the heart of the Die Linke parliamentary group’s motion is the demand to increase the legal options for cannabis consumers to acquire cannabis. This can be achieved, according to the parliamentary group, by reducing the bureaucracy for cultivation associations, among other changes.

As of July 1st, 2024, adults in Germany can apply to launch cultivation associations, which are member-based and allow cannabis to be produced and distributed to association members. Currently, there are 368 cultivation applications approved, with hundreds more pending review. Exponentially more are needed to help Germany’s regulated industry properly combat the unregulated market.

Another demand of the parliamentary group is for authorities in Germany to approve regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials. Dozens of pilot trial applications have already been submitted, yet none of them have received approval. Research-based pilot trials are a key component of the CanG law, serving as the second pillar of the historic CanG measure.

Regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials are already operating in several jurisdictions in the Netherlands and Switzerland, with no major issues reported. Clearly, if pilot trials can succeed in those nations, the same would prove to be true in Germany.

Increasing the personal possession limit for adult cannabis consumers is also part of the Die Linke parliamentary group’s motion. As of April 1st, 2024, adults in Germany can cultivate up to three plants in their private residences and possess up to 50 grams of cannabis in their homes.

For contextual purposes, Czechia now permits adults to possess up to 100 grams of cannabis and cultivate up to three plants in their private residences, and South Africa is currently accepting public comments for a proposal that would set the nation’s possession limit at 750 grams, albeit for a 5-plant limit.

“The members of parliament are calling on the federal government not to take any steps towards dismantling the partial legalization of recreational cannabis. Scientific pilot projects for the controlled legal distribution of cannabis should be enabled. Cultivation associations should be approved as uniformly and unbureaucratically as possible across the country.” stated the parliamentary group.

“The parliamentary group wants to abolish the regulations requiring cannabis consumption distances and ensure equal treatment with non-smoking regulations. Furthermore, the limit on home cannabis possession should be raised to a realistic level of three plants per person for private cultivation. Nationwide access to medical cannabis should be guaranteed. Finally, the federal government should advocate at the EU level for the creation of the necessary legal framework within Europe for the full legalization of cannabis.” they also stated.