Germany’s federal elections were held on the 23rd of February 2025. A new government is now being formed after this election. It’s bad news that conservative CDU/CSU won the most votes (28.52%) and the highest number of seats (208) in the 2025 election. CDU/CSU have historically been critics of Germany’s cannabis modernization policy.
Nevertheless, it is good to know that CDU/CSU will not be able to have a majority of the new federal cabinet and a coalition agreement must be made. CDU/CSU has stated that it will not work in coalition with AfD or any other conservative party. Instead, they plan to form a government that includes federal legislators that have a favorable attitude towards German cannabis policy and regulation.
German Cannabis Business Association BvCW stated (translated to English) that “a coalition of CDU/CSU with SPD appears likely. That means the SPD will continue to play an important role in future developments of the cannabis sector.” The CDU/CSU demand for reversing cannabis legalization would not be a successful strategy. Instead, it could lead to a renewed criminalization against patients and consumers.
The BvCW also stated that “of the cannabis and drug policy spokespersons, Simone Borchardt (CDU), Carmen Wegge (SPD), Kirsten Kappert-Gonther (Greens) and Linda Heitmann (Greens) as well as Ates Gürpinar (Left) were re-elected. Dirk Heidenblut, SPD candidate for the next election did not run. The FDP and thus also Kristine Lütke will no longer be represented in the next Bundestag due to the 5% hurdle.”
Legal Cannabis Thriving Germany
Germany’s elections came at a critical time for its emerging cannabis and hemp industries. In 2024, German lawmakers adopted a measure to legalize adult-use marijuana. The first provisions will take effect April 1, 2024. Adults in Germany will be able to legally grow up to 3 plants at their homes, have a small amount of cannabis and use cannabis privately as of April 1, 2024.
The removal of cannabis from Germany’s Narcotics Liste has also had a major impact on Germany’s legal medical marijuana industry. In addition, the removal of marijuana from the Narcotics List facilitated medical cannabis research and simplified the registration process for patients. A recent report from the Bloomwell Group shows that prescriptions in Germany for medical marijuana increased roughly 1,000% between December 2024 and March 2024.
The imports of medical cannabis in Germany in the year 2024 increased substantially to satisfy the rising demand. Germany imported 31.7 tons (nearly four times) as many medical cannabis products in the fourth quarter (2024). This is almost four times more than the first quarter (8 tons) 2024. In 2024, the total medical cannabis imported into Germany was 71.1 tonnes, more than double what it was in 2023 (32 tons).
Germany’s cannabis legal industry, which includes its cultivation association sector, is currently booming. In Germany, cultivation associations were legalized on July 1, 2024. This allowed adult users to obtain recreational cannabis products legally.
Cannabis policies are here to stay
Cannabis supporters and members of the industry in Germany were worried that the election for 2025 would produce a government hostile to the country’s cannabis policies and the industry. It appears unlikely that the CanG will be reversed under the coalition government. Most, if no all of the current laws in Germany, are here to stay.
Arguably, the least clear component of Germany’s previously approved legalization model is regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot trials, often referred to as ‘Pillar 2.’ The Netherlands and Switzerland are running pilot trials that allow for limited cannabis sales at local levels to gather information to better inform lawmakers and regulators when they craft national laws and regulations.
Pillar 2 had been expected to be launched in Germany by the end of 2024. However, this time frame has now passed. Cannabis industry and advocates hope that the new coalition government will allow trials to begin in 2025. However, it’s unclear if this will be possible. Two dozen jurisdictions across Germany expressed their desire to start regional adult-use Cannabis commerce pilot trials.
German Cannabis Business Week
The German Cannabis Business Week, which is coming up in April 2025, is timely because Germany is still the largest cannabis market in Europe. German Cannabis Business Week is set to begin in Berlin on April 28th 2025. The Talman House’s investor meeting will kick off the week at Hotel Adlon Kempinski. It is a prestigious venue internationally recognized for historic significance, unmatched hospitality, and its international recognition.
Following the Talman House event in Berlin, Europe’s largest and longest-running cannabis B2B event—the International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC)—will once again bring its flagship two-day conference to the iconic Estrel Berlin Hotel on April 29-30.