Starting on July 1st, 2024, adults in Germany can apply to launch a member-based cannabis cultivation association in which consumers can become members and legally source their cannabis. Such associations are sometimes also referred to as ‘social clubs.’

According to the most recent data from the Federal Association of Cannabis Cultivation Associations (BCAv), the total number of approved German cultivation association applications is now at 323. BCAv lists that 743 total applications have been submitted to date.

The association provided the following geographical breakdown of submitted, approved, rejected, and withdrawn applications for cultivation associations in Germany in their most recent newsletter:

The Federal Association of Cannabis Cultivation Associations, which describes itself as “the interest group for cannabis cultivation associations within the Cannabis Industry Association (BvCW),” recently published a position paper listing several demands that the association has determined would improve Germany’s cannabis laws.

Below are some of the highlighted demands of the position paper, per BCAv’s recent newsletter (translated from German to English):

• Protection against disproportionate requirements that make the operation of non-commercial cultivation associations virtually impossible.
• Protecting consumers’ information rights: Some federal states interpret the advertising ban so broadly that cultivation associations can hardly be found online.
• Accelerated and transparent approval procedures for cultivation associations.
• Clarification as to whether cultivation associations should levy VAT on cannabis sold.
• Nationwide standardization of standards

“If the cultivation associations are to effectively curb the black market, administrative hurdles must be removed and legal uncertainties eliminated.” states BCAv coordinator Heinrich Wieker.

One of the major goals of Germany’s recent adult-use policy modernization effort is to boost public health outcomes by transitioning the nation’s consumers away from consuming products sourced from the unregulated market toward sourcing products from a combination of cultivation associations, home cultivation, and pilot trials.

While the uptick in approved cultivation association applications is a positive development, exponentially more cultivation association approvals will be required if Germany is to achieve its stated cannabis policy goals.