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Germany recently saw its first cannabis social club—Social Club Ganderkesee—announce the distribution of cannabis to its members, marking a new milestone in the country’s journey toward regulated marijuana access. The nation legalized the possession and personal cultivation of marijuana for adults in April. However, until recently, there were limited legal means for acquiring the substance.
Social Club Ganderkesee started growing cannabis in July after receiving a permit from Lower Saxony’s Agriculture Minister, Miriam Staudte. According to Daniel Keune, the club’s chairman, the membership represents a broad demographic, ranging from 18 to 70 years old. Each social club is restricted to 500 members, and each member can purchase up to 50 grams of cannabis per month.
Lawmaker Carmen Wegge of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) emphasized the importance of the clubs in assisting in the reduction of the illicit marijuana market. She noted that the clubs offer a valuable option for people who may not want to grow cannabis on their own.
Meanwhile, cities like Frankfurt and Hanover are advancing separate pilot programs aimed at widening access to cannabis in controlled ways over the next five years. Frankfurt’s program would enable controlled commercial sales of cannabis to a group of selected participants. The initiative would allow individuals to buy up to 25 grams daily, with a cap of 50 grams per month, from four authorized shops throughout the city.
Participants would need to commit to health monitoring through evaluations and surveys conducted by medical professionals. However, people with certain conditions—such as mental health issues, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and minors—would not be eligible for the program. The program aims to offer legal cannabis at competitive prices, ideally to reduce reliance on the black market, where prices often range from €8 to €10 ($8.59-$10.74).
Meanwhile, Hanover’s program would avail cannabis through pharmacies for around 4,000 residents. Belit Onay, Hanover’s Mayor, stated that the project is intended to address the reality of marijuana use in the community while mitigating the risks associated with illegal markets. Marijuana is expected to be available under this program by next year.
Germany’s cannabis reform is expected to unfold in two phases. The initial phase involves personal possession, cultivation, and the establishment of social clubs. The second phase, which is still in development, is expected to introduce a comprehensive commercial cannabis sales model.
Karl Lauterbach, the Health Minister and a key advocate for legalization, has indicated that the government is carefully considering the second part of the law. As legalization progresses, there is growing public and political pressure to accelerate the timeline for broader commercial access.
Companies like Tilray Brands Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY) (TSX: TLRY) with an eye on expanding their international footprint are likely to monitor the developments in Germany to see if any opportunities open up.
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