What Germany's Cannabis Act allows

The German Cannabis Act (KCanG) prohibits cannabis in principle and makes named exceptions for adults aged 18 and over. This page summarises them, with the section behind every figure.

Possession

• In public: up to 25 grams (section 3(1)).
• At home: up to 50 grams and three living plants (section 3(2)).
• Slightly over — 25 to 30 grams in public, 50 to 60 grams in total — is an administrative offence with fines up to €30,000; above that it is a crime.

Where you may not use it

• In the presence of anyone under 18.
• At and within sight of schools, playgrounds, youth facilities and public sports grounds — sight ends beyond 100 metres from the entrance.
• In pedestrian zones between 07:00 and 20:00.

Borders: carrying it across is always a crime

Import and export are prohibited, and no adult exception lifts that. Carrying cannabis across any border is a criminal offence — even between two countries where it is legal, and even in small amounts. Only prescribed cannabis carried as travel supply is exempt; see medical cannabis in Germany.

Sources

• § 2 KCanG — Umgang mit Cannabis, Ein- und Ausfuhr
• § 3 KCanG — Besitz
• § 5 KCanG — Konsumverbote
• § 9 KCanG — privater Eigenanbau
• § 34 KCanG — Strafvorschriften
• § 36 KCanG — Bußgeldvorschriften
• § 7 KCanG — Minderjährige

This is not legal advice.