First cannabis club in Königs Wusterhausen: A year in growth!

First cannabis club in Königs Wusterhausen: A year in growth!

Königs Wusterhausen, Deutschland - In Germany, the cultivation of cannabis via clubs has been legal for a year. This was specified in the coalition agreement of the traffic light coalition (SPD, Greens, FDP). The Cannabis Club Dahme-Spree, which was founded in Königs Wusterhausen in April last year, is taking a first balance. Chairman René Schwalbe describes the extension as labor -intensive and plans to further optimize the conditions for the plants. The association has been growing in a video monitored warehouse near Cottbus since January and imports the seeds for cultivation from Spain.

The growing conditions in the warehouse are almost laboratory, equipped with automated irrigation systems and special lamps. Schwalbe artificially adds the living conditions of the plants and takes care of temperature, humidity and nutrients. In order to guarantee the quality of the cannabis, chemical pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers are avoided. A review of the composition of the cannabis in a laboratory for all cannabis clubs is also mandatory.

challenges and political uncertainties

The cannabis club needs additional staff, but can only offer mini jobs. The first harvest took place in April, the cannabis was submitted to the members in May. Members can pick up a maximum of 25 grams per day or 50 grams a month and have to pay a monthly fee of 59.95 euros (29.95 euros for members under the age of 21). The next harvest is coming in a few weeks. However, there are political uncertainties, since the CDU and CSU require a withdrawal of legalization in their election program. The new Federal Drug Commissioner Hendrik Streeck has also expressed concerns about the traffic lights.

Available in Germany Since the Cannabis Act came into force, at least 182 cannabis cultivation associations have submitted applications for the cultivation. The procedures were only completed in Lower Saxony, with eight clubs approved and eight were rejected. In Berlin in particular, no information on the number of applications is available, while other federal states such as Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia have processed comparatively large number of applications. Authorities have three months to decide on the applications, but the strict requirements ensure uncertainties.

legalization and perspectives

Legalization of cannabis is a central topic in German politics that has been banned in the country since 1929. The draft for partial legalization, which was presented to the Bundestag in October 2023, could come into force on April 1, 2024. Legalization takes place in two steps: First by cannabis cultivation associations and own cultivation, followed by regional model tests with profit-oriented production and sale. Legalization is intended to improve health and youth protection in particular.

After the planned legalization, the possession and consumption of cannabis will also be unpunished from April 1, 2024. From July 2024, the extension and the delivery in cannabis clubs are to be approved. It is planned that a maximum of 500 members may be in each club and that strict requirements, including safety regulations and documentation of the processes, must be observed. However, critics are concerned about the health consequences and the possible increase in traffic accidents.

Overall, the way to complete the fully implementation of cannabis legalization in Germany remains with many challenges, especially with regard to bureaucratic hurdles and political resistance.