(Gemini Audio)
(de-news.net) – Around the presentation of the interim evaluation of Germany’s cannabis legislation, Federal Health Minister Sabine Warken (CDU) has expressed significant concern regarding emerging developments – despite limitations in available data that still exist. She emphasized the importance of acknowledging and addressing the criticisms raised by security authorities, noting that such concerns cannot be dismissed lightly in the ongoing legislative discourse. In contrast, Carmen Wegge, legal policy spokesperson for the SPD, welcomed the findings, asserting that the legalization of cannabis represented a “long overdue and necessary step.” According to Wegge, the policy has proven effective in decriminalizing consumers, alleviating pressure on law enforcement and judicial institutions, and enhancing preventive measures. Nonetheless, she acknowledged that certain aspects — particularly access to cultivation associations — require further attention and refinement.
The evaluation, conducted by researchers from the Institute of Criminology at the University of Tübingen and the university hospitals in Hamburg-Eppendorf and Düsseldorf, concluded that the partial legalization of cannabis, introduced one and a half year ago, has not fully achieved its intended objectives. Chief among these goals was the reduction of the illicit cannabis market, a target that remains largely unmet. The study indicates that the newly permitted cultivation associations have yet to exert a meaningful influence on market dynamics. By mid-2025, only around 300 such associations had received official approval, whereas several thousand would be necessary to adequately meet the nationwide demand and effectively displace illegal supply channels.
The researchers also examined the legislation’s impact on youth protection. Their findings suggest that the law has not produced adverse effects on individuals under the age of 18. On the contrary, the data reveals a continued decline in cannabis consumption among adolescents, a trend that has been observable since 2019 and appears to be ongoing.
While the research team does not currently identify an urgent need for immediate legislative amendments, they do recommend that certain modifications be considered and discussed. The evaluation process is set to continue, with a second comprehensive review scheduled for April 2026 and a final report expected in April 2028.
The original intent behind the legislation, introduced by the now-defunct Traffic Light Coalition, was to decriminalize cannabis use and establish a regulated framework for its cultivation and distribution. Central to this framework are cultivation associations—non-profit entities permitted to operate with up to 500 members. These associations are envisioned as key instruments in the legal supply chain. In anticipation of further policy development, the CDU and SPD have agreed to conduct an open-ended evaluation of the law, during the current legislative period, in the coalition agreement.
