Germany’s first official review of its cannabis legalization law finds major reductions in cannabis-related crime, no significant surge in adult use, and continued declines in youth consumption.
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The interim report, prepared by the EKOCAN research alliance, evaluates the Konsumcannabisgesetz (KCanG), which took effect April 1, 2024.
According to the report, cannabis-related offenses recorded by police have fallen by 60 to 80% since legalization, marking the most substantial decriminalization in modern German history. Most of this decline is due to the removal of “consumption-related” offenses from the criminal code. While new infractions—such as consumption in the presence of minors or growing more than three plants—were introduced, they remain a small fraction of cases.
The analysis also shows that fears of a sudden spike in adult use have not materialized. Survey data and wastewater monitoring in eleven cities reveal that adult consumption trends have remained largely unchanged, continuing a gradual increase observed since 2011. Among youth, cannabis use has actually been declining since 2019, a trend that appears unaffected by legalization. Reports of cannabis poisonings among children remain extremely rare.
In terms of health outcomes, the report notes a slight rise in acute cannabis-related medical issues among adults following legalization, though researchers stress that more time and data are needed to determine whether this represents a real shift. For example, experts believe the rise in issues could be due to more individuals willing to seek medical help with cannabis no longer a criminal offense.
Importantly, road safety indicators show no significant change in driving under the influence of cannabis or in traffic fatalities and injuries.
One of the law’s central aims—displacing the illicit market—remains unmet. Cultivation associations, envisioned as a legal supply alternative, accounted for less than 0.1% of demand in 2024, with only 2% of adult consumers eligible to join by April 2025. Researchers warn that without adjustments, these associations are unlikely to play a meaningful role in undermining illegal sales.
The report concludes that while no urgent policy corrections are needed at this stage, questions remain about possession limits, enforcement of consumption bans, and the effectiveness of cultivation clubs. A fuller evaluation is expected in 2026 and again in 2028, as more data becomes available.
