An Important Upcoming Election For German Cannabis
Germany is currently home to the most exciting legal cannabis industry in Europe. In addition to adult-use cannabis being legal and sectors involved with recreational home cultivation, consumption, and cultivation associations increasing in size every month, Germany’s medical cannabis industry is booming by every measure.
Against that backdrop, the upcoming federal election in Germany is set for February 23, 2025. Germany’s president previously announced the dissolution of the lower house of parliament, and with Chancellor Olaf Scholz also losing a confidence vote in December, it paved the way for an early election. The stakes for cannabis policy in Germany could not be higher.
As the German Cannabis Business Association (BvCW) pointed out in a recent newsletter, the upcoming federal election in Germany could prove to be “decisive for the future of cannabis legalization in Germany.” Will the country continue its push for policy and regulatory modernization, will the current status quo remain, or will Germany regress on cannabis policy? It all depends on who gets elected.
BvCW provided a roundup of where political parties stand this week, stating (translated from German to English) that “while the SPD , the Greens , the FDP and the Left are in favor of a continuation or expansion of the current partial legalization, the CDU and AfD want to repeal the cannabis law and are taking a restrictive line.”
“The SPD is planning legalization in line with European law, the Greens are calling for specialist shops and international reform. The FDP is remaining vague and sticking to the current law, while the Left is the only party calling for complete decriminalization of all drug users and regulated access for other substances as well.” BvCW also stated. “The CDU and AfD argue that partial legalization has not reduced the black market and see it as a failure. Experts disagree and criticize that a return to prohibition would criminalize millions of people again. The BSW does not comment on drug policy.”
Additionally, BvCW recently published its ‘Election criteria for the 2025 federal election’ report that industry and election observers are encouraged to check out. Also, the Federal Association of Pharmaceutical Cannabinoid Companies has also issued its position on the upcoming election via a press release that people should also consider.
The German Hemp Association (DHV) also issued its own election analysis, urging German voters to select candidates from the Left party, stating (translated from German to English) “The Left, freed from the hesitant Wagenknecht fans, can really take off and take a clear stance.”
“With the best program and convincing answers, Die Linke is the clear winner of the election check and our clear recommendation to vote for. It is the only party that identifies a specific need for changes to the CanG.”
“We can expect all three traffic light parties to defend the Cannabis Act against the prohibition parties. However, all three parties have not made a perfect impression due to unnecessary resistance from their responsible ministers and state associations.” DHV stated about the SPD, Greens, and FDP parties.
“The CDU and AfD clearly position themselves as opponents of cannabis. Both parties want to reverse decriminalization and prosecute cannabis users again.” DHV also stated in its election analysis.
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition’s (LEAP) board members in Germany have also issued election guidance. LEAP was originally started in the United States by former members of law enforcement who oppose the harms of cannabis prohibition and has since expanded internationally. While LEAP did not issue any voting endorsements in Germany, it did make its position clear that Germany must not regress on cannabis policy and voters need to ensure that doesn’t happen in the upcoming election.
“We recognize that in the current legislative period, with the Consumer Cannabis Act and the transfer of cannabis for medical and medical-scientific purposes into a separate law, significant progress has been made towards a rational decriminalization of consumers. However, we are also concerned that some parties want to reverse the progress made so far in drug policy and thus, with their statements in their election manifestos, are diametrically opposed to our goals as LEAP Germany.” the organization’s Board in Germany stated (translated from German to English).
“We are not making any election recommendations, but for us as the LEAP board, it is absolutely clear that we can only vote for a party that advocates maintaining the progress made and further developing an evidence-based drug policy and that recognizes that the prohibition of the past decades has failed and instead focuses on health policy instruments in dealing with addictive substances.” organization leadership also stated.
For further analysis of Germany’s upcoming election and how cannabis policy may be affected, check out the International Cannabis Business Conference’s recent conversation with leading international attorney Peter Homberg of gunnercooke.
