No Statewide Ban on Cannabis at German Christmas Markets

Local authorities in Germany retain the power to regulate cannabis use at Christmas markets under the new national cannabis law.

Germany's new cannabis law, effective since April 2024, prohibits consumption in specific areas, including near minors and in pedestrian zones during the day.
No nationwide regulations for cannabis use at Christmas markets have been implemented in states like Saxony, Lower Saxony, Bremen, and Thuringia.
Local municipalities can decide on additional restrictions; for example, Torgau has declared its Christmas market a 'cannabis-free zone' until 2028.
Major cities like Dresden, Leipzig, Chemnitz, Hanover, and Erfurt have opted not to impose additional bans, relying on existing legal provisions.
Security measures such as police patrols, private security, and occasional checks will be in place at many markets, though no widespread cannabis-specific enforcement is planned.