Cannabis use in Germany rose from 4.6% in 2012 to 9.8% in 2024, but the increase since partial legalization was small and not statistically significant.
Policy researchers, legalization advocates, and public health professionals tracking international cannabis reform outcomes.
9.8% of German adults reported past-year cannabis use in 2024, up from 4.6% in 2012
What the researchers found
Past-12-month cannabis use prevalence reached 9.8% in 2024 after partial legalization, up from 8.8% in 2021, but this difference was not statistically significant. The upward trend had been ongoing since 2012.
Why it matters
Germany is one of the largest countries to partially legalize recreational cannabis, making early post-legalization data valuable for understanding whether policy changes accelerate existing consumption trends.
The numbers in context
Prevalence rose from 4.6% (2012) to 6.1% (2015) to 7.1% (2018) to 8.8% (2021) to 9.8% (2024). Most users consumed marijuana (92.3%) as joints (88.6%). Top motivations: getting high or having fun (66.8%) and stress relief (61.3%). 25.7% of users belonged to a cannabis social club.
How the study worked
Repeated cross-sectional surveys (Epidemiological Survey of Substance Abuse) across five waves from 2012 to 2024, with sample sizes ranging from 7,534 to 9,267 German-speaking adults per wave.
What this study cannot tell us
The 2024 survey occurred very shortly after legalization (April 2024), limiting the ability to detect effects. Self-reported data may underestimate use. The 2024 wave had a smaller sample size than previous waves.
How to read the evidence
Large nationally representative repeated cross-sectional surveys with consistent methodology across waves, though self-report and the short post-legalization window limit causal conclusions.
When this study was published
2025 publication analyzing 2024 post-legalization data from Germany.
The bigger picture
Early evidence from multiple jurisdictions suggests legalization does not produce dramatic spikes in use, though modest increases appear over time. The German data aligns with patterns seen in North American legalization.
Questions still open
- Will cannabis use in Germany continue to climb in subsequent years?
- How will cannabis social clubs shape consumption patterns compared to commercial retail models?
Read the original research
Cannabis Consumption Before and After Partial Legalization in Germany: Early Trends, Consumption Patterns, and Motives.
Deutsches Arzteblatt international, 122(23), 632-637
Citation
Hoch, Eva; Krowartz, Eva-Maria; Hollweck, Regina; Möckl, Justin; Olderbak, Sally. (2025). Cannabis Consumption Before and After Partial Legalization in Germany: Early Trends, Consumption Patterns, and Motives.. Deutsches Arzteblatt international, 122(23), 632-637. https://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.m2025.0161