Most Germans are in favor of fully legalizing recreational cannabis months after the government approved its use for personal consumption and amid the upcoming federal elections.

The German Hemp Association published a poll last week, showing that 59% of Germans support full legalization of recreational cannabis, including its sale.

The poll’s results support the government’s original vision for cannabis reform, which was then scaled back to allowing only personal use.

This marks the first increase in support for legalization after three years of stagnation at just under 50%, according to the association, and follows the German coalition government’s decision to legalize recreational cannabis for personal use, which eased access to medical cannabis, removed the substance from the list of controlled substances, allowed possession of small amounts, and permitted the establishment of cannabis clubs to grow cannabis without sales.

The policy took effect on April 1 of this year.

The poll, conducted by market research and polling company Infratest Dimap for the association, found that 59% of respondents support retaining cannabis decriminalization measures, while 37% favor returning to prohibition.

Support was strongest among younger respondents (18–34), with 82% backing decriminalization.

Interestingly, 59% of participants endorsed legal cannabis sales through specialized stores, a 12% increase from last year.

While the poll reflects a significant shift in public opinion in Germany on cannabis policies over the last decade, partisan alignment with cannabis reform measures suggests a clear ideological divide.

Support was highest among left-wing Green Party (78%) and Social Democratic Party (SPD) voters (63%), while only 46% of supporters of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union in Bavaria (CSU) approved regulated access.

Progressive and centrist parties have higher approval, while conservative factions are more skeptical, although there is growing acceptance even within these groups.

Cannabis Policy Amid Government Crisis

The poll comes amid a government crisis following recent disputes within the three-party coalition over the country’s economic policies and ongoing tensions.

On December 16, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for a vote of confidence in the ruling coalition, which includes the SPD, the Free Democratic Party (FDP), and the Green Party, known as the green-light coalition. The vote was lost.

As a result, an early federal election will be held in 2025, with the parties agreeing on February 23, 2025, as the election date.

This has already led opposition parties to vow a potential withdrawal of cannabis legalization for personal use in Germany.

Recent polls show favorable support for the right-wing union between the CDU and CSU, as well as for Alternative For Germany (AFD).

CSU leader Markus Söder recently said on X that his party will end the cannabis legalization for personal use introduced by the current coalition.

In its election manifesto for the 2025 federal election, the CDU/CSU rejects partial legalization and vows to repeal the law if it forms the government.

The manifesto argues that the cannabis law has failed to reduce the black market, curb consumption, or prevent gang violence.

The AfD’s election manifesto for the upcoming federal election calls partial cannabis legalization a mistake that must be reversed.

It highlights the health and psychological risks of cannabis consumption without medical justification.

The party rejects the decriminalization of consumers and advocates for a clear distinction between medical cannabis and recreational use.

The Making Of Cannabis Policy’s Second Pillar

Meanwhile, Germany is launching the second pillar of its cannabis policy reform with pilot programs to test the sale of cannabis in select cities.

Hanover and Frankfurt plan to introduce regulated adult-use cannabis sales through five-year projects aimed at gathering data to shape future drug policies.

Modeled on similar initiatives in Switzerland, these programs will involve thousands of participants and focus on reducing black market consumption while studying impacts on public health.

Both projects are awaiting final federal regulations, which are delayed due to unresolved administrative and legislative issues.

While these efforts represent incremental steps toward broader cannabis reform, a potential victory for right-wing parties in the upcoming elections could threaten the current policy.