Cannabis Crimes Are Down 68% In Berlin Compared To Last Year

Cannabis-related crimes in Germany’s capital city were significantly lower for the seven months immediately following partial cannabis legalization compared to the same period last year. Cannabis cultivation, possession, and consumption by adults became legal throughout Germany on April 1st, 2024.

“Berlin’s police database recorded 1,685 criminal offences under the Cannabis Act between the beginning of April and the end of October, including illicit trafficking or illicit possession, the agency said in response to questions from local Green Party lawmaker Vasili Franco.” stated Yahoo! News in its reporting.

“By comparison, 5,315 criminal offences were reported in the same period in 2023.” Yahoo! News also reported.

While adult-use cannabis cultivation, possession, and consumption are legal in Germany, other cannabis-related activities remain prohibited such as selling unregulated cannabis, public consumption, and operating a motor vehicle on a public roadway while intoxicated. Adults can possess up to 25 grams of cannabis away from their homes.

“Contrary to all the scaremongering, the cannabis law is already showing initial success after just a few months. Decriminalization should mean that cannabis users are no longer unnecessarily prosecuted, criminalized and stigmatized,” said Vasili Franco.

According to a 2021 report from Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf, Germany will eventually save 1.05 billion euros annually by no longer enforcing cannabis prohibition, in addition to judiciary savings of 313 million euros per year.

The German cannabis market is home to 4-8 million consumers with a total potential market value of between €7.8 billion and €15.6 billion according to data provided by leading economist firm Whitney Economics.

To completely supply German demand, Germany’s cannabis industry would need to produce over 948,000 kg of flower annually according to Whitney Economics.