Brandenburg Leads in Cannabis Club Approvals with 16 Licensed Entities

In a significant development for cannabis legislation in Germany, Brandenburg has emerged as a leader in the approval of cannabis clubs, having granted licenses to 16 such organizations as of mid-July 2025. This places Brandenburg ahead of its neighbor, Berlin, in the race for legal cannabis cultivation and distribution.

For over a year, Germany has permitted the establishment of cannabis clubs, allowing non-profit cultivation associations to legally distribute cannabis to their members, provided they receive official approval. A recent survey conducted by the German Press Agency revealed that Brandenburg is tied with Saxony for the highest number of approved cannabis clubs among eastern German states. According to the Brandenburg Ministry of Consumer Protection, 16 applications have been approved, while 12 are currently under review, and two have been denied.

In comparison, the capital city of Berlin has only issued seven permits for cannabis clubs, while other eastern states like Saxony-Anhalt, Thüringen, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern have approved 14, 6, and 3 clubs, respectively. On a national scale, North Rhine-Westphalia leads with 83 approved clubs, followed by Lower Saxony with 55.

Despite the progress, the cannabis legalization initiative remains a contentious political issue. Both the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) are set to conduct an 'open-ended evaluation' of the cannabis law this coming autumn.

Since the legalization of cannabis in Germany commenced on July 1, 2024, non-commercial cultivation associations can include up to 500 members and must apply for state licenses to operate legally. These clubs are subject to governmental oversight, and violations of cannabis regulations can result in fines.

Additionally, as of April 1, 2024, adults are allowed to carry up to 25 grams of cannabis in public and store up to 50 grams in their homes. Furthermore, individuals can cultivate up to three cannabis plants for personal use.