EXCLUSIVE: German Cannabis Legalization, Key Figures Say Celebrate Now But The Struggle Continues

As night fell over the mythic Brandenburger Door in Berlin, thousands gathered to share the news and accomplishment of cannabis decriminalization for personal consumption and freedom to roll a blunt or two.

"It was a great feeling of relief when the final decision was made," Georg Wurth, longtime cannabis activist and lobbyist for the Hemp Industry told Benzinga.

The decriminalization of cannabis and the new regulatory framework for home cultivation and Social Clubs is a milestone in European cannabis reform. Wurth and his team of advocates celebrated what seemed unlikely just one year ago.

"I saw hurdles coming up all the time," he said. "It was a very narrow game in both German parliamentary chambers. I'm, convinced the law would not exist today if we didn't organize massive protests with email campaigns and kind of burning down the whole internet."

Cautious optimism was shared by Fabian Steinmetz, a regulatory toxicology expert and influencer.

"Since the coalition contract was published in autumn 2021, I described the probability for legalization to be approximately 50% and for a significant improvement (e.g. decriminalization) to be approximately

80%. And I was quite right," Steinmetz said.

The Struggle Continues

Looking forward, this milestone might become just a stepping stone toward further amplification of cannabis freedoms. Both Wurth and Steinmetz agree that won't happen without a fight.

German legalization covers a limited amount of homegrown cannabis.

"The possession limit at home with 50 grams is far too low for home growers, especially if they are doing just one grow a year under the sun. That forces many people to grow indoors, wasting a lot of energy on the lamps," Wurth explained.

Political Success Accompanied By Compromise

Moving forward, politicians might be uncomfortable treating this reform as a mere step up to further impacting regulations.

"The government wants to do a second step with model regions to try a regulated market. But if this is going to become a reality before the elections in the autumn of next year, it is far from clear right now. No concrete plans have become public yet," noted Wurth, adding that the program is burdened with complicated regulations. "And there are a lot more major bugs in the law we have to get rid of. It would be illegal for me to share a joint with my wife, who would reject it anyway because she hates smoking."

Impact On Cannabis Ecosystem And Economy

"At the moment there are some businesses in a good position like suppliers of growing equipment," said Wurth. 

Further development would be subject to progress in getting the retail market up and running.

"Companies selling grow equipment, seeds and medical cannabis might benefit. Whether further industries will benefit depends mainly on pillar 2 (pilot projects) and the next steps towards proper legalization. If/when this will happen is unclear."

Cannabis Social Clubs, with a 500-affiliations cap, could begin generating economic development though this might not be the case for everyone who will likely still turn to the unregulated market.

"The new law will reduce the illicit market, but probably only partially. Most users consume low quantities, or simply don't like registering - they might be scared that this sensitive information could be used against them if the government changes."

Looking Forward 

Cannabis activism can be very demanding and frustrating especially when public debate gets distorted by faulty conservative arguments.

"If suppression of the illicit market is an official goal of the law, the result might be quite disappointing, and this partial failure might be held against the government by the opposition," Steinmetz told Benzinga.

Despite the shortcomings, the constant social pressure brought by this reform is unquestionable.

"Still this is the most liberal cannabis law in Europe now," Wurth said. "I see this law as a declaration of peace to harmless people from a state that was behind them for decades with massive police pressure. Despite all critical points in the details, this is a real game changer."

Nothing further, your honor.

Photo courtesy of Georg Wurth