Germany’s Cannabis Legalization Faces Persistent Challenges One Year On

Efforts to curb the black market and streamline cannabis club operations have faltered, with critics calling for legislative reevaluation.

Nearly a year after partial cannabis legalization, the illegal market remains robust, with legal supply failing to meet demand.
Cannabis clubs report mixed results: some have successfully distributed harvests, while many applications face lengthy delays.
Law enforcement cites reduced penalties and legal ambiguities as barriers to combating organized drug trade effectively.
Administrative and judicial systems are burdened by licensing backlogs and the review of thousands of past cannabis-related cases.
Calls for amendments to the law are growing, as critics highlight enforcement difficulties and resource constraints.