Suche
Mein Konto
Cannabis clubs are booming: 293 permits and a look at NRW!
The legalization of cannabis in North Rhine-Westphalia: 83 cultivation associations approved, consumption permitted under certain conditions from 2024.
Cannabis clubs are booming: 293 permits and a look at NRW!
Things are simmering in Germany when it comes to the topic of cannabis. A year after cannabis clubs were granted permission, 293 such associations have now been able to open their doors. This development shows that the demand for the regulated handling of cannabis remains high. How Time online reports, the clubs are not only allowed to grow cannabis, but also sell it to their members - under strict conditions.
North Rhine-Westphalia is particularly active with an impressive 83 approved growing associations. This puts the federal state ahead, followed by Lower Saxony with 55 and other federal states such as Rhineland-Palatinate (27) and Baden-Württemberg (23). In contrast, Saarland remains a blank spot on the map of cannabis clubs as no club has yet been approved here. There are at least seven clubs available in the capital Berlin, while Schleswig-Holstein still has a few applications under review.
The current figures at a glance
| Federal State | Number of approved clubs |
|---|---|
| North Rhine-Westphalia | 83 |
| Lower Saxony | 55 |
| Rhineland palatinates | 27 |
| Baden-Württemberg | 23 |
| Berlin | 7 |
| Thuringia | 6 |
| Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania | 3 |
| Bremen | 2 |
| Saarland | 0 |
Encouraging figures, but the reality is also different. As of mid-July, more than 328 applications had been processed, with at least 27 applications rejected and 53 withdrawn. A give and take that is viewed critically from many sides. Those too Bundestag faction found that out of over 400 applications submitted, only 83 were approved.
A radical change in drug policy?
The public discourse will be further fueled by the impending legalization of cannabis consumption from April 2024. The aim is to keep cannabis in controlled channels, and the federal government is planning further steps. A bill for state-controlled production and distribution in specialist shops is expected by the end of the year in order to make the handling of cannabis even safer Economic service reported. It is important to keep an eye on health protection and the protection of minors.
The discussion about legalization has also divided society. According to a survey by the Ifo Institute, 34% of respondents supported the new regulations, while 40% were against it and the rest remained undecided. Critics fear that legalization would not curb the black market and that consumption rates among young people could increase.
It remains to be seen how the situation will develop further. An evaluation of the previous measures is due in autumn 2025. It remains to be seen whether the legalization of cannabis in Germany can be considered a success - until then it is important to keep an eye on all developments.