First Cannabis Club authorized in Berlin

The Berlin-based association Green Leaf Society has become the city's first cannabis club to receive legal authorization to grow cannabis collectively.

First legally recognized cannabis cultivation association outside of Lower Saxony

The Green Leaf Society's accreditation is the first of its kind to Berlin and outside the state of Lower Saxony, where the first license was issued at Ganderkesee Cannabis Social Club last July.

The Berlin-based association submitted its application on July 25, 2024 And, after a thorough review, local authorities approved it, marking an important milestone in the city’s progress toward the development of cannabis clubs.

The Green Leaf Society was commended for its responsible approach the cultivation and use of cannabis. According to Gordon Lemm, district councilor for youth, family, and health for the Marzahn-Hellersdorf district, says the association’s application serves as a model for other potential associations.

Mr. Lemm also commended the group’s commitment to monitoring its members for any signs of problematic substance use and addressing issues related to addiction to a early stage. The emphasis on health and safety is consistent with the new german cannabis law, which imposes strict rules on cultivation and consumption, prioritizing the protection of public health and the reduction of abuse.

Jana Halbreiter, president of the Green Leaf Society, praised the district’s pragmatic and impartial review process, which led to the swift approval of the application. The association’s main goal is to establish quality standards high standards and to ensure the consumer protection.

Mr. Halbreiter explained that the association is working to establish a non-commercial model in which safety and quality are of the utmost importance.

The Green Leaf Society plans to distribute its first harvest legal for its members by december 2024, a historic moment for Berlin since this will be the first time that cannabis is legally grown and distributed by a cannabis club.

Political roadblocks and growing frustration among cannabis clubs

Despite this progress, other cannabis cultivation associations in Berlin face political challenges. Sixteen clubs recently gathered in Mauerpark to express their frustration over the city's refusal to issue more cultivation permits.

The German political landscape has been marked by reluctance to implement the federal law, introduced earlier this year, that authorizes the legal cultivation of cannabis. Under the leadership of the Mayor Wegner ( CDU), no agency has been designated to issue the necessary permits, which poses a significant obstacle for organizations wishing to follow in the footsteps of the Green Leaf Society.

The Berlin Senate has transferred responsibility for granting permits to the various districts, which have refused to process applications for cultivation permits. This refusal was formalized in a letter addressed to the Senate, in which they demanded greater autonomy and clearly stated that they would not process cannabis-related applications.

The boards of directors of these farmers' associations view inaction as a political failure, particularly in a city like Berlin, often considered the Germany's cannabis capital.

Oliver Waack-Jürgensen, a member of the board of directors of CSC High Ground Berlin e.V., expressed his dissatisfaction, stating: «Berlin is Germany’s cannabis capital, with unparalleled expertise in this field, but the government refuses to make use of this knowledge. We are not a problem; rather, we offer solutions.» His statement highlights the frustration felt by many members of the community who view regulated cannabis cultivation as a positive solution to public demand.

Faced with the current political impasse, Berlin’s cannabis advocacy groups are considering legal actions to assert their rights under the new federal law. Henry Plottke, from the local chapter of the DHV Berlin, called on the city government to act quickly.

In light of the lack of progress, the associations’ boards of directors have committed to cooperating and organizing further meetings to discuss next steps, including potential legal avenues.

While Berlin is facing delays, the Lower Saxony has already issued licenses, notably to the Ganderkesee Cannabis Social Club, which became the first organization to receive authorization on July 8 2024.