Germany Grapples with Cannabis Club Regulations as Legalization Efforts Expand

Newly permitted cannabis clubs face bureaucratic challenges and regional disparities, with contrasting developments in Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Bavaria.

The Cannabis Social Club 'Grüne Liebe Rhein-Neckar' in Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg, has begun setting up its cultivation site after receiving one of the region's first cannabis-growing permits.
In Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia, the 'Joints-Venture' club distributed its first harvest of 2.5 kilograms of cannabis to members, marking a milestone in the state's cannabis legalization efforts.
North Rhine-Westphalia has approved nearly a dozen cannabis clubs, with strict regulations including location restrictions, official inspections, and a requirement for a designated addiction prevention officer.
In contrast, Bavaria has denied its first application for a cannabis club, citing non-compliance with legal requirements that mandate all members actively participate in cultivation activities.
The rejection in Bavaria has sparked criticism, with the denied club's leadership accusing authorities of discriminatory practices, particularly against disabled members, and pledging to challenge the decision.