Overview

• Germany's partial cannabis legalization, implemented in April 2024, allowed limited private cultivation, possession, and consumption but has led to unintended consequences.
• Despite initial hopes, the black market has expanded, with experts estimating billions in illegal sales, undermining the law's intended goals.
• Judicial and law enforcement workloads have surged, with hundreds of thousands of past cases requiring review under the new legal framework.
• Health experts warn of significant risks, including brain changes, behavioral issues among youth, and increased dependency due to greater cannabis availability.
• While some officials, including Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, defend the law as progressive, growing political and public pressure calls for revisions or repeal.