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When the Cannabis Act came into force in Germany, the aim was to improve the country’s drug policy by changing the way the popular recreational drug was handled. The black market was to be curbed, youth protection strengthened, and the health of consumers better protected through legal access.
Unfortunately, not all of the plans that were originally envisaged could be implemented, and neither the supply of cannabis in social clubs nor telemedicine can meet the demand among the population.
As a result, a large proportion of consumers are still being served by illegal street dealers. Although some of this cannabis is grown in hidden facilities in the country, a great deal of black market goods continue to come from abroad. Because certain countries have moved towards a more liberal policy, it seems understandable that attempts are being made to smuggle cannabis into Germany from these regions.
As was already announced in June, customs authorities have seized a record amount of smuggled cannabis since partial legalisation last year. Cannabis smuggling into Germany is now becoming increasingly common.
Cars, trains and planes
In June, Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) presented the latest annual customs statistics in Hamburg, which revealed a surprising result.
While cannabis has been legalised in parts of the country, the cultivation of three plants has been permitted, and cannabis social clubs have been allowed, the smuggling of the most popular previously illegal intoxicant into Germany has also increased significantly.
The amount seized has risen by almost four tonnes compared to 2023, which represents an increase of around 50%. A total of 12,618 kg was found by customs, compared to 8,642 kg in the previous year.
All kinds of transport are used for smuggling: cars, trains and planes. As reported by Welt.de, specialists at the General Customs Directorate highlighted a connection between the sharp increase in cannabis smuggling and partial legalisation in Germany, and see this as at least one of the reasons for the increase in quantity.
According to a customs spokesperson, greater public interest in cannabis could mean that ‘smaller quantities are being brought into circulation more frequently and are therefore being detected more often’.
It could be that more people are under the misconception that importing cannabis into the country is now legal, leading to an increase in the number of people attempting to smuggle cannabis in their cars, on trains or in their luggage on planes. However, it is clearly emphasised that this is not permitted. The import, export and transit of cannabis remains prohibited and punishable by law.
Small quantities from the Netherlands, larger quantities mostly from Spain
One key driver behind cannabis imports is the considerable difficulty of obtaining it legally in Germany. Though there are now just under 300 licensed social clubs nationwide, approval processes remain protracted, and even once licensed, each club may only supply up to 500 members.
Scientifically monitored pilot programmes—which could expand access to a broader population—are still awaiting implementation. For many, cultivating cannabis at home is impractical, time-consuming, or technically challenging. As a result, it’s often easier to travel to countries with more relaxed regulations, purchase the product there, and then attempt to bring it back into Germany by land.
Smaller amounts frequently originate from neighbouring Netherlands, long known for its coffee shop culture. Larger shipments, however, tend to follow routes from Spain via France.
Customs authorities, reporting to the Finance Ministry, note that seizures now exceed four tonnes, but they cannot clearly distinguish whether this reflects more widespread small-scale trafficking. Nor, according to their own statements, is it possible to make ‘statistically reliable statements about a connection between increased cannabis seizures and the partial legalisation in 2024.’
Thailand, Canada, USA
Other sources, including Thailand, Canada, and the United States, are also thought to contribute to these numbers, mainly via imports by sea and air.
Legalisation efforts in these countries have made cannabis more accessible and, in turn, appear to have driven up illegal imports into Germany. Still, customs cannot provide reliable data pinpointing what volumes come from each country.
As the first evaluation of the Cannabis Act approaches this autumn, political opponents may seize on these developments as a new argument against liberalisation.
It will be telling whether, as the Federal Government’s Drug Commissioner Hendrik Streeck puts it, ‘evidence-based and scientifically sound policies’ prevail—especially given that the current restrictions make the legal access landscape for cannabis far from ideal.
