- Legal Basis
- §§ 34, 36 KCanG
- Sentencing Range
- Varies: possession of small quantities for personal use is generally not punishable under KCanG; cultivation of more than three plants or supply to minors carries imprisonment up to three years; commercial trafficking up to five years
- Summary
- Possession, cultivation, or trafficking of cannabis in violation of the Cannabis Act (KCanG)
Cannabis Offences (KCanG / Section 34 KCanG)
With the entry into force of the Cannabis Consumption Act (Konsumcannabisgesetz — KCanG) on 1 April 2024, the legal situation for cannabis in Germany changed fundamentally. Adults are now permitted to possess certain quantities and grow cannabis privately. At the same time, numerous activities remain criminal, and the new thresholds create considerable difficulties in practice. Expats living in Germany should understand these new rules carefully, as the regulations differ significantly from many other countries.
Legal Basis
Section 34 KCanG contains the criminal provisions of the Cannabis Consumption Act. The central prohibitions are found in Sections 2 and 3 KCanG:
Permitted for persons over 18: possession of up to 25 grams of cannabis (dried) in public spaces, possession of up to 50 grams in private spaces, private cultivation of up to three cannabis plants, and acquisition through licensed cultivation associations.
Activities that remain criminal include possession above the permitted quantities, supply to minors, trafficking outside cultivation associations, importation, and commercial supply.
Elements of the Offence
Possession above thresholds: Anyone possessing more than 25 g in public spaces or more than 50 g in private spaces is criminally liable under Section 34(1) No. 1 KCanG. The relevant measurement is the weight of dried cannabis including flowers and flower-adjacent leaves.
Unauthorised cultivation: Growing more than three cannabis plants simultaneously is an administrative offence or criminal offence. Cultivation in a location accessible to minors is also prohibited.
Supply to minors: Supplying cannabis to persons under 18 carries imprisonment of up to five years under Section 34(1) No. 4 KCanG — the most severe sanction under the KCanG.
Trafficking and commercial supply: Selling cannabis outside licensed cultivation associations remains criminal. Commercial supply is punished with imprisonment from three months to five years.
Importation: Importing cannabis into Germany remains criminal, even in quantities below the possession thresholds.
Typical Methods of Commission
Common cases involve possession of quantities slightly above the thresholds, private cultivation of more than three plants, selling or sharing among friends without a cultivation association, bringing cannabis from other European countries (e.g., the Netherlands), and supply to minors, particularly in school environments.
Sentencing Range
Possession above the thresholds carries up to three years’ imprisonment or a fine. Supply to minors carries up to five years’ imprisonment. Commercial trafficking carries imprisonment from three months to five years. In less serious cases, prosecution may be declined or proceedings discontinued. For historical cases (before 1 April 2024), the more lenient law applies (Section 2(3) StGB), meaning many former BtMG proceedings have been discontinued.
Typical Defence Strategies
Precise quantity determination is of central importance in cannabis cases. The distinction between lawful possession and criminal excess often depends on just a few grams. Whether the location constitutes “public” or “private” space is also decisive, as different thresholds apply. For historical cases, it is examined whether criminal liability still exists under the more lenient KCanG. The distinction between personal use and trafficking provides further defence approaches, as do procedural questions regarding the lawfulness of searches and seizures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was ist seit dem Konsumcannabisgesetz erlaubt?
Seit 2024 sind der Besitz und der Eigenanbau begrenzter Mengen Cannabis für Erwachsene unter Voraussetzungen erlaubt. Überschreitungen, die Abgabe an Minderjährige und der Handel bleiben nach dem KCanG strafbar.
Welche Mengen gelten?
Es gelten Obergrenzen für den Besitz im öffentlichen und privaten Raum sowie Vorgaben zum Eigenanbau. Bei Überschreitung drohen je nach Menge Ordnungswidrigkeiten oder Straftaten.
Welche Verteidigungsansätze gibt es?
Zentral sind die Abgrenzung erlaubten Besitzes oder Anbaus vom strafbaren Handel, die Mengenbestimmung und die Anwendung der Übergangsregelungen.
Muss ich zur Polizei, wenn ich als Beschuldigter vorgeladen werde?
Einer rein polizeilichen Police Summons müssen Sie als Beschuldigter nicht folgen, und Sie sind nie verpflichtet, sich zur Sache zu äußern. Einer Ladung der Staatsanwaltschaft oder des Gerichts sollten Sie folgen – schweigen dürfen Sie aber auch dort.
Sollte ich vor der Akteneinsicht aussagen?
In aller Regel nein. Ohne Kenntnis der Ermittlungsakte lässt sich nicht beurteilen, welche Beweise vorliegen. Eine Einlassung sollte erst nach Akteneinsicht und in Abstimmung mit dem Verteidiger erfolgen.
Kann ein Strafverfahren eingestellt werden?
Ja. Je nach Beweislage kommen eine Einstellung mangels hinreichenden Tatverdachts (§ 170 II StPO), wegen Geringfügigkeit (§ 153 StPO) oder gegen Auflagen (§ 153a StPO) in Betracht. Nach Akteneinsicht prüfen wir die Möglichkeiten.
Summons or accusation of Cannabis – New Legal Framework (KCanG)? What matters now
Make no statement to the police at first
As an accused person you are never obliged to comment on the allegation. Anything said to the police can be used against you. Provide statements only through your defense attorney and only after reviewing the case file.
File inspection comes first
A sound defense against the allegation of Cannabis – New Legal Framework (KCanG) requires knowledge of the investigation file. Only once the available evidence is clear can we decide whether a statement is advisable or whether remaining silent is the better strategy.
Possible discontinuation of proceedings
Not every case ends in a main hearing. Depending on the evidence and any prior record, the proceedings may be discontinued for lack of sufficient suspicion (§ 170 II StPO), for triviality (§ 153 StPO) or subject to conditions (§ 153a StPO). Often a penalty order without a public trial can be achieved.
Victim-offender mediation and restitution
In many cases, victim-offender mediation or making good the damage (§ 46a StGB) can significantly reduce the sentence or enable a discontinuation. Whether this is advisable in your case is something we assess based on the file.
What we do after reviewing the file
We examine the evidence for reliability and admissibility, look for procedural errors, develop the defense strategy, negotiate with the public prosecutor on a discontinuation and represent you, if necessary, in the main hearing before the District Court or Regional Court of Bonn.
Available 24/7: +49 228 504 463 36
This information does not replace a review of the individual case. In criminal proceedings, the defence strategy depends substantially on the case file, the specific allegation and the evidence.
Why BAFTEH Strafverteidigung?
- Direct contact with your defense attorney – no intermediaries
- Available around the clock, including nights and weekends
- Fast file inspection and a clear defense strategy
- Focused exclusively on criminal law
- Defense in Bonn, Cologne and the entire region
Written by attorney Philip Bafteh, criminal defense lawyer in Bonn. Philip Bafteh publishes regularly on criminal and commercial law and defends accused persons in investigative and trial proceedings.
More about the attorney →Last updated: Juni 2026
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