As Germany advances toward full cannabis legalization, it could significantly influence cannabis reform across Europe. The journey of cannabis reform in Europe will always be marked by the legalization of adult-use cannabis in Germany. Although Germany did not become the first country in Europe to legalize cannabis nationwide, its move to implement adult-use cannabis laws starting April 1 has been the most significant victory for cannabis reform on the continent—and potentially worldwide.
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Under the new law, adults in Germany can possess up to 25 grams of cannabis outside their homes. The medical cannabis industry has also become more efficient with the removal of cannabis from Germany’s Narcotics list—a major change under the CanG law. Furthermore, adults are allowed to grow up to three cannabis plants in their private residences. A recent Pronova BKK survey revealed that 51% of respondents are open to cultivating their own cannabis at home, with another 40% of “occasional” users expressing the same interest. Additionally, a YouGov survey found that 7% of German adults have already purchased cannabis seeds or clones, while another 11% plan to do so in the future.
A Push for Modernization
As Germany’s cannabis legalization continues to progress without the negative outcomes predicted by some opponents, it will provide a substantial boost to the cannabis movement throughout Europe. Advocates across the continent will be able to use Germany as a case study to demonstrate that modern recreational cannabis policies can be successful, thereby strengthening their arguments for similar changes in their own countries.
One such example is Slovenia, where voters recently supported two referendum measures that include policies already in place in Germany. One measure called for the legalization of personal use and cultivation by adults, while the other sought to permit domestic medical cannabis production. While these measures are not binding, their approval sends a strong signal to Slovenian lawmakers that it is time for the country to follow Germany’s lead and modernize its cannabis laws.
Similarly, Czech lawmakers have indicated their intention to follow Germany’s example, although adult-use legalization is not yet imminent. The country’s national anti-drug coordinator, Jindřich Vobořil, recently stated that a final decision is still pending and that all options remain on the table.
Elsewhere in Europe, incremental victories for cannabis policy reform are gaining momentum. In the Netherlands, for example, the government recently expanded its adult-use cannabis pilot projects to eight additional municipalities.
Pilot Projects
Pilot programs for adult-use cannabis commerce are also being tested in various municipalities in Switzerland, and these initiatives are expected to play a central role in Germany’s legalization framework. Germany plans to launch its pilot programs by the end of the year, likely on a larger scale compared to the Netherlands and Switzerland. Successful outcomes from these pilot projects could encourage other European countries to initiate their own cannabis pilot programs.
Regressive Policies in Japan and Thailand
While Europe is moving towards cannabis policy modernization, some Asian countries are taking a step back. Japan, for instance, is preparing to implement a law that criminalizes individuals for merely having THC in their system, with penalties of up to seven years in prison. Meanwhile, Thailand, which decriminalized cannabis in 2022, is considering re-criminalizing it. Europe’s progressive cannabis policies stand in stark contrast to these regressive measures, underscoring how modernized regulations can lead to better public health outcomes than prohibition.
The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) compiles cannabis usage data across Europe and reports that 8% of European adults (over 22 million people) have used cannabis in the past year. Most of these consumers likely used unregulated products, as many European countries still prohibit cannabis sales. A shift from the unregulated to a regulated market would be a more practical policy approach than continued prohibition.
Looking ahead, the International Cannabis Business Conference is organizing multiple events across Europe in 2024 and 2025. The upcoming conference in Slovenia on September 13 marks the first major cannabis event in the country following the historic votes in June. The conference will focus on emerging cannabis science and technology.
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