Germany’s CDU/CSU Parties Criticize Cannabis Legalization After Two Years

Two years into Germany’s partial cannabis legalization, conservative leaders from the CDU and CSU factions have expressed dissatisfaction with the policy, labeling it a failure. While the report analyzing the law’s impact shows a more complex picture, researchers outlined several challenges. On Wednesday, government officials from the CDU and CSU parties called for revisiting the 2024 law that allowed recreational cannabis use for adults, enacted by the previous left-leaning coalition.

“Early interventions aimed at deterring youth cannabis use are declining rapidly,” said Health Minister Nina Warken of the CDU, highlighting concerns about the law’s effects on young people. She also criticized the unclear distinction between recreational and medicinal cannabis, noting that medical prescriptions for high-THC strains have increased significantly.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt of the Bavarian CSU went further, calling the reform a “complete nonstarter.” He argued that the law overlooked law enforcement worries, such as the expansion of the black market and a surge in criminal activity. Family Minister Karin Prien of the CDU added that addiction prevention efforts for minors have weakened, as it’s now harder to enforce attendance in courses designed to curb cannabis use among children.

Report Findings: Mixed but Problematic

The evaluation report, compiled by researchers from Tübingen University, Düsseldorf’s university clinic, and Hamburg-Eppendorf university clinic, revealed a moderate rise in cannabis usage since legalization. This increase aligns with ongoing trends: consumption by young people has slowly declined, while older adults show a steady uptick. “No clear link between the reform and consumption growth is evident yet,” the study noted.

The report echoed Warken’s concerns about early intervention programs, which have seen reduced participation. It also cited police reports detailing difficulties in combating illegal trafficking under the new law. Interestingly, the research suggested that older regulations enabling medical marijuana prescriptions might have indirectly driven increased demand, with a sharp 198% rise in pharmacy-based sales since 2024.

Legal Framework and Implementation

Cannabis for medical use has been permitted in Germany since 2017, under conditions requiring healthcare referrals. Over time, access has become easier, and availability has expanded. In April 2024, a broader law was introduced, allowing adults over 18 to possess up to 50 grams at home and carry 25 grams in public. Individuals may also grow two plants themselves, though minors are barred from doing so.

Despite these provisions, the law still restricts direct sales to the public in “coffeeshops,” unlike the Netherlands’ model. The report pointed out that insufficient approval of “cannabis clubs”—entities for recreational purchases—has led to a reliance on pharmacies, raising questions about the law’s ability to curb illegal distribution. It warned that Germany might now serve as a hub for illicit cannabis trafficking, particularly with medical-grade products.

Researchers emphasized that overprescribing high-THC strains could pose mental health risks, even as they noted challenges in determining whether illegal groups are involved in importing medical cannabis. The study concluded that boosting approved cultivation organizations could help reduce the black market’s dominance.