Since 1 April, cannabis has been “partially legalised” in Germany and the long-awaited step towards a green future has been taken. Politicians are already discussing further changes to the new law and end users are only now realising the consequences of many unrealistic regulations. After all, if something is legal, you should assume that you also have legal access to it. You should, but you don’t have to. At the moment, weed can only be obtained by prescription or by growing it yourself, with a maximum of 3 plants per household, and the first harvest can be enjoyed around September, when seeds or cuttings have been planted in time for 1 April. And so there is a winner of the moment: medicinal cannabis. But to make sure it doesn’t stay that way, the CanG has approved cannabis social clubs (CSCs), which will become legal on 1 July.
WHAT ARE CANNABIS SOCIAL CLUBS
Cannabis Social Clubs (CSC) in Germany are a new, legally regulated form of community that enables its members to grow cannabis for their own use and to legally obtain cannabis. They are a response to the increasing acceptance of cannabis in society and aim to make the purchase and cultivation of cannabis safer and more regulated. What they are not are clubs like those known from Barcelona or Amsterdam coffee shops. Because consuming together or simply spending time in one place with like-minded people is not intended in the case of German CSCs. They merely serve as dispensaries and for communal cultivation. So what exactly is a cannabis club? The essential points that make up a CSC:
STRUCTURE AND ORGANISATION OF CANNABIS CLUBS
Cannabis social clubs are generally non-profit organisations that are run by their members. They are not commercial enterprises, but are based on the principle of communal use and personal use. This means that the cultivation and consumption of cannabis is exclusively for the members and not for sale to the public.
HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER OF A CANNABIS SOCIAL CLUB?
To become part of a cannabis social club, you must become a member. This usually requires registration and often the payment of a membership fee, which is used to cover the running costs of the club. Members have the right to participate in communal cultivation and to use the harvest. Membership is restricted to persons of legal age who are resident in Germany.
HOW DO CANNABIS CLUBS CULTIVATE AND GROW?
One of the main aspects of the Cannabis Social Clubs is the communal cultivation of cannabis. The clubs have cultivation areas or indoor gardens where they grow cannabis under controlled conditions. Cultivation is carried out according to strict regulations in order to guarantee the quality and safety of the product. Members share the harvest according to their contributions and needs.
COUNSELLING
Another important element of the Cannabis Social Clubs is the counselling and education of their members. The clubs provide information on the safe and responsible use of cannabis, the different varieties and their effects, as well as the legal framework. They also often offer support and advice on health issues related to cannabis use.
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES IN CSC`S
Cannabis social clubs promote social interaction and community among their members. They organise regular meetings, workshops, theme nights and other events that promote exchange and education around the topic of cannabis. These activities help to develop responsible consumer behaviour and inform members about the latest developments and findings in the field of cannabis.
PREVENTION AND SAFETY
The clubs attach great importance to prevention and safety. They promote the conscious and responsible use of cannabis and are committed to minimising abuse and the negative health consequences of consumption. This includes not only educational work, but also support for members who may have problems with consumption.
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Cannabis social clubs operate within a clearly defined legal framework. They must fulfil strict regulations and requirements in order to operate legally. This includes compliance with cultivation regulations, documentation requirements and ensuring that cultivation and consumption is exclusively for the members’ own use.
WHEN CAN CANNABIS BE OBTAINED FROM CANNABIS SOCIAL CLUBS?
The Cannabis Social Clubs in Germany are also facing considerable challenges with the Consumer Cannabis Act (KCanG) introduced in July due to a lack of planning certainty. Aside from managing the work after submitting the application to the authorities, it can take a further three months for an application to be approved or rejected, which could lead to additional delays if the entire timeframe is utilised. So it will probably take a little longer before the cannabis can actually be collected from the dispensary, because even fast-flowering strains take their time. Until then, the black market will continue to enjoy a steady supply. Or telemedicine companies that advertise dubiously that being a patient is something desirable, because who needs health when you can buy cannabis on prescription?
CANNABIS CLUB BERLIN
And in Berlin everything is different again anyway. They have officially declared that although there is a post box for enquiries, no applications will be processed for the time being. While in other federal states the responsibility for the authorisation procedures for such cultivation clubs is largely clearly regulated, in Berlin there is a chaos of responsibility. The Berlin health administration claims that the twelve districts should be responsible for the authorisation procedures, but the districts were only informed of this three days before the law came into force. A necessary ordinance on the transfer of responsibility does not yet exist, and the districts are overwhelmed by the responsibility suddenly imposed on them.
The delay in the implementation of the KCanG in Berlin is partly attributed to possible procrastination by the SPD-led health administration, as health senator Ina Czyborra had publicly expressed concerns about cannabis authorisation. Although the law is already in force, the necessary ordinance is still being prepared and a specific date for its entry into force is uncertain. This is causing frustration both among the districts, which have no resources and clear guidelines, and among the opposition in the Berlin House of Representatives, which has criticised the Senate for wilfully delaying the law.
Nevertheless, we remain hopeful and above all convinced that cannabis social clubs in Germany offer a legal and regulated way to grow and obtain weed. They promote the safe and responsible use of cannabis, offer valuable educational and counselling services and create a community for like-minded people. And it is precisely these principles, combined with sustainable cultivation methods and comprehensive education, that form the basis of strong communities with innovative partners who together have a positive social impact… together we build culture, together we grow. Whenever that might be.
