Berlin Cannabis Offenses Down Almost 75% Since Legalization

One year after the initial components of adult-use cannabis legalization took effect in Germany, cannabis offenses are down nearly 75 percent in Berlin. Starting on April 1st, 2024, adults in Berlin can possess up to 25 grams of cannabis when away from their homes, up to 50 grams in their private residences, and they can cultivate up to three plants in private for personal use.

“Since the partial legalization of cannabis in Berlin, the number of related crimes has decreased significantly. Between April 2024 and March 2025, the police registered approximately 2,300 offenses. In the same period last year, there were approximately 8,430 cases, according to a response from the Berlin Health Administration.” reported t-online in its local coverage translated from German to English.

“Most violations concerned illicit trafficking (1,175 cases) and the illicit distribution and transfer of cannabis (550 offenses). In addition, around 120 administrative offenses were recorded, such as smoking marijuana near playgrounds.” the outlet also reported.

Adult consumers, German courts and law enforcement, and ultimately German taxpayers, have all greatly benefited from the CanG law. Consumers no longer face prosecution for personal cannabis activity, the nation’s court system is no longer jammed up with needless cannabis consumer cases, German law enforcement is freed up to focus on fighting real crime, and taxpayers no longer have to foot the bill for enforcing harmful, ineffective cannabis consumer prohibition policies.

The Institute for Competition Economics at the Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf previously conducted an analysis finding that adult-use legalization could yield as much as 1.3 billion euros per year in savings for Germany’s police and judicial system.