Total Number Of German Cultivation Associations Rises To 211
Starting on July 1st, 2024, adults in Germany can apply to launch a member-based cannabis cultivation association. Cultivation associations are a key component of Germany’s adult-use model, and according to a recent newsletter by the German Cannabis Business Association (BvCW), the total number of approved associations has risen to 211.
“So far, out of 624 applications nationwide, 211 have been approved and 25 have been rejected.” stated BvCW in its most recent newsletter (translated from German to English). “A detailed overview can be found on the BCAv website.”
Policymakers and industry members in Germany originally pushed for a national adult-use cannabis legalization model that was broader compared to what is currently in place. However, after discussions and consultations with the European Union, it was determined that nationwide cannabis sales, like what is implemented in Uruguay and Canada, are prohibited under current EU agreements.
What is permitted in EU member nations is the adult-use model that Germany has adopted, which involves permitting personal consumer rights such as the cultivation, possession, and consumption of personal amounts of cannabis, as well as licensing member-based cultivation associations. Both components fall under the ‘boosting public health outcomes’ provisions of the current EU agreements.
Malta also permits cultivation associations as part of its modern adult-use cannabis policy model, and the number of associations there provides some insight into how many cultivation associations may eventually launch in Germany.
Currently, according to the Malta Authority for the Responsible Use of Cannabis’ website, there are 19 ‘cannabis harm reduction associations’ that have obtained an operating permit. It is worth noting that not all of those are dispensing cannabis to members right now, with some still being in the early stages of operation.
Malta has an estimated population of roughly 569,900, which works out to roughly one association for every 29,995 citizens. Germany currently has an estimated population of roughly 84,075,075. If we apply the same association-to-population ratio from Malta to Germany’s population, it would work out to about 2,803 total associations.
There is additional context that must be considered, and Malta and Germany are not an apples-to-apples comparison, so to speak. However, the basic calculation and comparison demonstrate how much potential for growth there is for Germany’s emerging cultivation association sector, at least at a macro level.
Another contextual factor to consider is that Malta’s association numbers are presumably going to rise as time goes on, and are not fixed at 19, so the 2,803 estimate for Germany will likely prove to be a low-end figure.