Germany Legal
Recreational cannabis is partially legal since April 2024: adults may possess up to 25g in public and grow up to 3 plants, but sales only happen through non-profit clubs, not shops. Medical cannabis is comparatively easy to get with a German prescription.
Legal Framework
Since the Cannabis Act (Cannabisgesetz, CanG) took effect on 1 April 2024, adults aged 18 and over in Germany may possess up to 25 grams of dried cannabis in public and up to 50 grams at home, and may grow up to three cannabis plants for personal use. There is still no commercial retail sale: the only legal source of recreational cannabis is membership in a registered non-profit 'cultivation association' (Anbauverein, commonly called a cannabis club), capped at 500 members and subject to strict security, quantity and age rules. Public consumption is restricted near schools, playgrounds and sports facilities, and driving under the influence of THC remains an offense.
Possession above the legal thresholds is not automatically a crime. Amounts moderately over the 25g/50g limits are typically treated as an administrative offense (Ordnungswidrigkeit) with a fine. Larger quantities, and in particular cases where the pure THC content exceeds roughly 7.5 grams, are classified as an 'aggravated case' (besonders schwerer Fall), which can carry a prison sentence of up to three years or a fine — courts have continued to refine exactly where this line falls since the law's introduction. Sensi Seeds, Cannabis Europa
Medical Cannabis Program
Medical cannabis was removed from Germany's Narcotics Act (BtMG) in April 2024, meaning doctors can now issue a standard prescription instead of a special narcotics prescription form, and pharmacies dispense it more like any other prescription medicine. In practice, patients can obtain a prescription either from an in-person physician or, currently, via a telemedicine platform, and fill it at a regular or mail-order pharmacy; reimbursement by statutory health insurers still requires a case-by-case application and is not automatic.
This liberal telemedicine-and-mail-order model is now under review. On 8 October 2025 the Federal Cabinet approved a draft bill that would require an in-person doctor visit before cannabis flower can be prescribed for the first time, limit remote repeat prescriptions to patients with a prior in-person consultation, and ban mail-order pharmacies for flower (local courier delivery would remain possible). The Bundestag held its first reading on 18 December 2025, with further readings expected in spring 2026. As of mid-2026 the outcome is not final — patients relying on telemedicine access should verify the current legal status before assuming a remote prescription route is still available. Forbes, Gleiss Lutz
Traveling with Medical Cannabis
Despite cannabis no longer being a narcotic under German law, the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) confirms that a Schengen certificate under Article 75 of the Schengen Implementing Convention is still required to carry a prescribed controlled medicine, including medical cannabis, across borders within the Schengen area for stays of up to 30 days. The certificate must be completed by the treating physician, specify the substance, dose, patient identity and trip duration, and — for travel originating in Germany — be authenticated by the competent Land health authority before departure. A separate certificate is needed for each prescribed substance.
- Carry the medication in original pharmacy packaging only, in cabin baggage.
- Do not exceed a 30-day supply.
- Have the authenticated Article 75 certificate and prescription copy ready for customs (Zoll) inspection.
- Travelers arriving in Germany with a foreign-issued Article 75 certificate should expect the same document checks at the border.
Recent Developments
Since the 2024 reform, the number of registered cannabis clubs has grown steadily, though many report long waiting lists due to the 500-member cap and the time needed to establish compliant, secured cultivation sites. The main open policy question for 2026 is the fate of the telemedicine and mail-order restrictions described above, which industry groups warn could sharply reduce access for patients in rural areas, while the government argues they are needed to curb inappropriate 'lifestyle' prescribing. No changes to the recreational possession limits or club model are currently under discussion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can tourists buy cannabis in a shop in Germany?
No. There are no retail shops. The only legal recreational access is through membership in a registered non-profit cultivation association, and clubs are generally not set up to serve short-term visitors.
Do I need special paperwork to bring my prescribed medical cannabis into Germany?
Yes. Regardless of the 2024 reform, an authenticated Article 75 Schengen certificate, a prescription copy and original pharmacy packaging are required for stays of up to 30 days.
Is telemedicine prescribing of medical cannabis still available in Germany?
It was as of early 2026, but a draft law that would restrict it to in-person initial visits was still moving through the Bundestag; check current status before relying on it.
What happens if I carry more than the legal amount?
Moderate excess is usually an administrative fine; larger amounts, or cannabis with high pure THC content, can be prosecuted as an aggravated case with penalties of up to three years in prison.