On 1 April 2024 the German Cannabis Act (CanG) came into force. It is the first time in decades that home growing is legally possible for adults in Germany — under defined conditions.
What has been permitted since April 2024
Home growing — the three essential rules
| Rule | Content |
|---|---|
| Number of plants | Maximum 3 plants simultaneously per person, 18+, exclusively for personal use |
| Location | Exclusively in private areas — not visible from public areas |
| Use | Only for personal consumption — no sale, no transfer to third parties, not even free of charge |
The 3-plant rule applies per person, not per household. Two adults in one household can theoretically each grow 3 plants — 6 in total. However, the plants must be clearly assigned to the respective person. There is no official registration requirement for private cultivation.
Possession — what you may have where
| Location | Permitted amount |
|---|---|
| Public space (out and about) | Maximum 25 g dried cannabis |
| Private area (at home) | Maximum 50 g dried cannabis |
| Own harvest (at home) | Must comply with the 50g limit in total — no unlimited storage |
What remains prohibited
- Sale and any transfer for payment — even small amounts, even among friends
- Free transfer to minors — with aggravated penalties
- Cultivation in publicly visible areas (balcony without privacy screen, garden on a public path)
- Consumption in the immediate vicinity of schools, day-care centres, playgrounds (minimum distance: 100 m)
- Possession of more than 3 living plants — cuttings also count as plants once they form roots
Cannabis Social Clubs (CSC)
In addition to private home growing, the CanG permits the founding of Cannabis Social Clubs — registered associations that may grow cannabis for their members and distribute it.
- Maximum 500 members per club
- Members must be of legal age and registered with their primary residence in Germany
- Distribution only to members — not to non-members
- Maximum distribution quantities: 25 g/day, 50 g/month (ages 21–25: 30 g/month)
- Clubs require a cultivation licence and are subject to inspections
- No consumption in the club premises permitted (as of April 2024)
Practical consequences for the home grower
What "not publicly visible" means
The law requires that plants must not be visible from public paths, roads or areas. For indoor spaces this is automatically fulfilled. For balconies and gardens: privacy screening is mandatory if the growing location is visible from outside.
Cuttings and seeds
Seeds may be acquired for home growing — importing from EU countries operates in a legal grey area that the CanG did not fully clarify. Concrete recommendation: source seeds from licensed EU retailers that explicitly serve the German market.
Cuttings count as plants once they have formed roots. Anyone with 3 mother plants and 5 rooted cuttings therefore has 8 plants and violates the law.
Grow boxes and the law
A grow box is not a regulated device — buying, owning and operating a grow box is legal. The CanG regulates the plant, not the equipment. A grow box in the living room is legally unproblematic as long as the 3-plant limit is maintained and the growing location is not publicly visible.