Another assessment report was published by EKOCAN this week, and in a continuing trend, the assessment found positive results for adult-use cannabis legalization in Germany. The report was the second assessment published by the EKOCAN research effort, following the first in late 2025.

This second assessment report was published today, on the second anniversary of the implementation of the first provisions of Germany’s historic CanG measure.

“On April 1, 2024, the Act on the Handling of Cannabis for Non-Medical Use (Konsumcannabisgesetz) came into force, legalizing the possession and cultivation of cannabis within certain limits. The research project “Evaluation des Konsumcannabisgesetzes” (EKOCAN) is investigating the effects of this partial legalization on the protection of children and young people, public health,
and cannabis-related crime.” The EKOCAN team wrote on the University of Hamburg’s website (translated from German to English).

As of two years ago, adults in Germany can cultivate up to three plants in their private residences and possess and consume personal amounts of cannabis. Leading up to the launch of the new personal cannabis freedoms, cannabis opponents in Germany predicted a ‘doomsday scenario,’ claiming that adult-use legalization would yield a massive spike in youth consumption and that it would help the unregulated market thrive. Per the second EKOCAN assessment, those predictions have failed to materialize two years after legalization took effect in Germany.

“No increase in cannabis use is apparent, youth use is declining, and the black market has been partially reduced. The law has thus proven that responsible regulation and effective youth protection go hand in hand. Furthermore, the historic decriminalization has noticeably relieved the burden on millions of citizens and the justice system.” wrote the German Cannabis Business Association (BvCW) in its newsletter today (translated from German to English).

Starting on July 1st, 2024, adults in Germany can apply to start a member-based cultivation association. The associations, combined with home cultivation, serve as the current legal channels for adult German cannabis consumers to source their cannabis, in addition to the nation’s legal medical cannabis options for approved patients.

Another major component of Germany’s legalization model involves permitting regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials, often referred to as the ‘second pillar’ of the CanG law. Unfortunately, Germany’s government has failed to approve any pilot trial applications, despite several jurisdictions expressing interest in launching research trials.

“The German Cannabis Business Association (BvCW) sees these successes as a good foundation for initiating the next phase of modernization. From the cannabis industry’s perspective, a stronger push back against illegal activities requires legal access to cannabis. To this end, the legislature had envisioned a second pillar of the law, consisting of scientific pilot projects for regulated distribution, which has not yet been implemented. The BvCW therefore calls on the federal government to work with relevant stakeholders from addiction prevention, law enforcement, industry, growers’ associations, physicians, and patients to develop a common position on how the law can be improved to expand legal access to controlled products and establish a clear distinction between medicinal and recreational cannabis.” writes the German Cannabis Business Association.

“One of the core objectives of the Cannabis Act is to curb the black market and organized crime. However, a key element is still missing: scientific pilot projects for the regulated distribution of cannabis. Let us work together with all relevant stakeholders to achieve a major breakthrough.” says Dirk Heitepriem, President of the BvCW.

“The pilot projects for legal access to cannabis would not only reduce the illegal market, but also provide scientifically sound data for future regulation. The Federal Office for Agriculture and Food ( BLE ) must finally be given stronger legal authority to enable reputable specialist shops with strict quality control and reliable youth protection. Consumer protection through tested products and the freedom of science and research must take precedence over the profits of organized crime.” BvCW Managing Director Michael Greif added.

“The BvCW calls on the Federal Government to sit down with all stakeholders at the national level to define reasonable framework conditions for cannabis model projects and to advocate for a generally applicable regulation for telemedicine platforms at the EU level.” the organization wrote. “Furthermore, the German government should follow the EKOCAN recommendations and thus allow cannabis cultivation associations to provide neutral information about themselves and to review the ban on distribution and consumption in clubs, including the restrictive framework conditions. The Federal Association of Cannabis Cultivation Associations (BCAv) has published its own list of demands on this matter.”

As previously reported, an undeniable benefit of German cannabis policy reform is a reduction in cannabis offenses, with the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) finding that the number of cannabis-related offenses fell from almost 174,000 cases in 2023 to just under 62,000 in 2024. In Berlin specifically, the number of registered cannabis offenses has decreased by roughly 70% since legalization took effect.

Cannabis prohibition enforcement takes up a lot of resources that are funded by public revenue. Every would-be criminal cannabis offense that no longer occurs results in public revenue and resources being saved, and frees up law enforcement and the nation’s criminal justice system to focus on fighting real crime. That benefits all of German society, and not just cannabis consumers.

“While many pitfalls and ambiguities still exist that put consumers at risk of committing a crime or administrative offense even though they are not harming anyone else, the number of criminal proceedings against ordinary consumers has at least been drastically reduced, and that’s a good thing!” wrote the German Hemp Association (DHV) in a press release today (translated from German to English).

Despite many of the claims made by cannabis opponents in Germany leading up to legalization failing to materialize, it hasn’t stopped cannabis opponents from continuing to spread anti-cannabis propaganda in an ongoing attempt to fear-monger. Georg Wurth, CEO of DHV, put recent claims by cannabis opponents in the proper context via a post on LinkedIn today, which I have embedded below: