CBD in Germany
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NEW FORMAT
From February of 2022, subscribers will be able to view and filter individual regulatory alerts per region. If you want to get our alerts compilations, visit our alerts Round-up section.
Alerts
Our legal experts track the evolving regulation around the CBD and cannabis sector on a daily basis. These alerts are then compiled into our Round-up section.
20th May 2022
Germany: As part of the legalisation of recreational cannabis, Carmen Wegge, a spokesperson for the Social Democratic Party (SPD) – which is a part of the coalition government – told the press that the coalition government wants to set a maximum personal cannabis limit of between 20 g and 30 g. Currently, federal law does not limit the tolerable amount for possession, and thus the amounts vary regionally, usually between 6 and 15 g.17th May 2022
- Germany: After the health minister announced the intention to present a draft law for the legalisation of recreational cannabis by autumn, the Budget Committee, during negotiations on the 2022 Federal Budget, decided that an amount of €1m would be blocked from the health ministry’s public relations work fund until the cannabis legislation draft is presented later this year, local press reports. The Federal Budget is expected to be published in summer 2022.
10th May 2022
- Germany: After the health minister announced the intention to present a draft law for the legalisation of recreational cannabis by autumn, the federal drug commissioner Burkhard Bliniert added that he doesn't want to follow the example of Luxembourg and legalise the cultivation of cannabis for personal use, press reports. Further details were not given.
5th May 2022
Germany: Health minister Karl Lauterbach has announced that he will start the legislative process for legalising cannabis in the next few months, press reports. As a first step, federal drug commissioner Burkhard Blienert will have technical discussions with national and international experts; a draft law is to follow in the second half of the year.
3rd May 2022
Germany: The Federal Union of German Pharmacists’ Associations (ABDA), which represents all pharmacists in the country, has issued a statement opposing the sale of recreational cannabis in pharmacies. Although the government has not announced any details, the ABDA said it was against the idea because of cannabis’s side effects, especially when taken alongside other medications. However, in the event of legalisation, it offers to help ensure the highest level of consumer safety.
11th April 2022
Germany: The Cologne Administrative Court has confirmed the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM)’s classification of CBD drops as medicinal products, rather than food supplements. The pharmaceutical company which took the issue to court claimed that no pharmacological effect had been proved at the given dosage, but the court decided the drops could have a cumulative effect. An appeal to the Higher Administrative Court in Münster remains possible.
4th April 2022
Germany: Five men have been acquitted of drug trafficking charges in Berlin's Regional Court after selling CBD flowers as smoking products with less than 0.2% THC, press reports. The court found no evidence that the products could be misused for intoxication purposes. The prosecutors may appeal, but the verdict could have an influence on the decision to come from the Higher Administrative Court of Lower Saxony on the marketability of hemp flower as a herbal smoking product.
29th March 2022
Germany: Federal drug commissioner Burkhard Blienert has expressed support for health warnings on cannabis packaging, once recreational cannabis is legalised. Speaking in a press interview, Blienert added that cannabis advertising and sponsorship should not be allowed.
16th March 2022
Germany: Kristine Lütke, drug policy spokeswoman for the coalition Free Democratic Party (FDP) has told the German Pharmacist Newspaper she aims to present a bill to legalise recreational cannabis by the end of this year. She said pharmacies, along with other businesses, should be able to apply for licences to sell recreational cannabis.
15th March 2022
Germany: Five men have been charged in Berlin’s Regional Court with drug trafficking after selling CBD flowers as smoking products with less than 0.2% THC, press reports. The regional court initially rejected the case, but the Berlin Court of Appeal overturned the decision and the trial will continue tomorrow. In March 2021 the Federal Court of Justice overturned two judgements on similar charges, but the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) has since stated that cannabis cannot be sold in Germany as a smokable product.
14th March 2022
- Germany: When talking about cannabis legalisation for recreational purposes, the federal drug commissioner, Burkhard Blienert, said in an interview that the discussion is still in its early stages. He emphasised that it is a complex project that involves many ministries, the public, associations, and science. The goal would be to legalise within the current legislative period, which will end in 2025.
