German Cannabis Law Faces Backlash Over Black Market Growth

Justice officials argue legalization hinders organized crime investigations and propose amendments to address enforcement challenges.

Berlin's Justice Senator Felor Badenberg and Baden-Württemberg's Justice Minister Marion Gentges have sharply criticized Germany's cannabis legalization, calling it a 'serious mistake' and an 'open invitation' for illegal trade.
The law, enacted in April 2024, limits investigative tools like phone surveillance and encrypted chat evidence, complicating efforts to prosecute large-scale cannabis crimes.
A high-profile case in Mannheim saw a suspect freed after smuggling nearly 1,000 pounds of cannabis due to evidence restrictions under the new law.
Critics argue that the law has inadvertently strengthened black market operations and made Germany more attractive for international drug trafficking.
Justice ministers from German states will meet on November 28 to discuss a resolution proposing stricter rules and expanded investigative powers during the 2025 evaluation of the law.