Germany cannabis cultivation clubs expand amid black market concerns

Two years after the partial legalization of cannabis in Germany, cultivation clubs are expanding across the country. In Lower Saxony, the 100th club is set to receive permission in Göttingen, making the state a leader in the number of clubs per capita.

While clubs like the one in Fröndenberg aim to combat the black market by providing legal cannabis to members, critics from medical and law enforcement sectors express concerns. Representatives from addiction services and the police union suggest that the goal of displacing illegal markets has seen limited success. They note that illegal sources remain easily accessible and that the slow availability of legal cannabis through social clubs may inadvertently benefit drug dealers.