Health
Warnings of more hurdles for cannabis cultivation associations
The Cannabis Industry Association warns that the planned stricter rules for the legal cultivation of cannabis in clubs would make it more difficult to set up production. Photo
© Christian Charisius/dpa
With the legalization of cannabis, cultivation associations will soon be allowed to start operating. However, the requirements for them are set to become even stricter. Concerns are also being raised about this.
The planned stricter rules for the legal cultivation of Cannabis in clubs has been criticized by supporters and future players. The guidelines pose a risk to “acting effectively in the interests of health and youth prevention as well as competitiveness against the black market,” explained the Federal Association of Cannabis Cultivation Associations in a statement to the Bundestag.
The cannabis industry association warned that the additional hurdles would make it more difficult to set up production. This would further lead to bottlenecks in access to legal cannabis. The black market would benefit.
Next Monday, the Parliament’s Health Committee will be holding an expert hearing on changes to the law for the partial legalization of cannabis, which has only been in force since April. This concerns additional requirements for non-commercial “cultivation associations” with up to 500 members, in which adults can grow cannabis together from July 1st and distribute it to each other for personal consumption – a maximum of 50 grams per member per month.
Specifically, it concerns improvements that the federal government has promised the states. To prevent large plantations from being built, permits can be refused if cultivation areas or greenhouses are in a “structural association” or in close proximity to those of other associations.
Ensuring “non-commercial home-grown character”
It is to be prohibited to commission a commercial provider to provide several services in order to ensure the “non-commercial character of home cultivation”. At the request of the states, controls should not be carried out “annually” but in a more flexible form “regularly”. The Bundestag is expected to approve the changes next Thursday.
The German Hemp Association stated in its statement that some of the proposals would lead to “fewer cultivation associations being founded and thus a larger black market share remaining.” One of the biggest hurdles in setting up an association was the high investment costs.
Experts estimate that an indoor cultivation facility for 500 regular users will cost well over 100,000 euros for technology and other equipment. It is more attractive to rent or lease a fully equipped cultivation room. Without the option of bundled offers, clubs would have to negotiate and finance many contracts with service providers themselves.
The Federal Association of Cannabis Cultivation Associations in Germany welcomed the aim of better protecting associations against commercial ventures and prohibiting large-scale cultivation areas. However, the planned changes could have a negative impact on non-commercial cultivation associations in particular. The Cannabis Industry Association explained that smaller associations would like to join forces on a common area. Finding a location is already associated with considerable difficulties due to distance rules.