The Number Of German Cultivation Association Applications Is Rising
Starting on July 1st, 2024, aspiring cannabis cultivation operators in Germany can apply with local authorities to gain permission to produce and distribute recreational cannabis to cultivation association members.
According to local German reporting, roughly 280 cultivation association applications were received by regulatory officials in the first two months of the application process opening.
“Across the country, more than 280 applications for permits have been received, according to a survey of the relevant state authorities. The most populous state, North Rhine-Westphalia, is at the top with 69 applications so far. In Lower Saxony, 27 applications have been submitted, and 11 permits have already been granted – in all other states combined, 3.” reports NTV (translated from German to English).
“Larger numbers of applications for cultivation associations have also been received in Baden-Württemberg, where, according to the responsible regional council in Freiburg, there are now 47 applications. In Bavaria, according to the State Office for Health and Food Safety, 24 applications were submitted by August 28.” the outlet also reported.
It is worth noting that KrautInvest has reported that 295 applications for German cannabis cultivation associations have been received so far.
Cannabis cultivation associations are part of the first phase, or ‘pillar 1,’ of Germany’s modernized cannabis legalization model. The associations combine with home cultivation to serve as the foundation of legal recreational cannabis sourcing in Germany. Eventually, regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials will also provide a legal means by which consumers can source their cannabis products (pillar 2).
Memberships at cannabis cultivation associations are capped at 500 members in Germany. A maximum of 25 grams of cannabis can be distributed per member per day at German cultivation associations, and a maximum of 50 grams per month per member. For consumers between the ages of 18 and 21 years old, there is a purchasing limit of 30 grams per month with a maximum product limit of 10% THC.
Meanwhile, Burkhardt Blienert, SPD politician and Germany’s Federal Government Drug Commissioner, is continuing to defend the nation’s approach to cannabis policy modernization and regulation. Blienert led Germany’s effort to legalize cannabis for adult use in recent years.
“By allowing cannabis to be grown legally at home and in clubs, the federal government has not legalized the drug, but rather decriminalized its consumption,” explained Burkhardt Blienert according to Oldenburger Nachrichten. “Until now, cannabis was generally prohibited, and yet the drug was regularly consumed by around 4.5 million people in Germany. The ban did not work, especially as cannabis from the black market became increasingly stronger and riskier.”
“We urgently needed to do something to curb the black market and reduce the risks associated with consumption, which is already taking place. That’s what we did.” he also stated.
Cannabis is currently legal for adult use in Uruguay, Canada, Malta, Luxembourg, and South Africa, in addition to Germany and various states in the U.S. Cannabis is legal for medical use in nearly five dozen countries, including in Germany.