Germany · Pillar explainer

How to join a German cannabis social club (Anbauvereinigung).

Germany's adult-use law allows non-profit cultivation clubs of up to 500 members. Here is what joining one actually involves — eligibility, limits, costs, and the misreadings that send applicants to the wrong club.

Who can join

Cannabis social clubs (Anbauvereinigungen) are open to adults aged 18 and over who are resident in Germany. Non-residents — including cross-border commuters and tourists from Luxembourg, France, or the Netherlands — cannot legally be members. Each adult may only belong to one club at a time. The club is required to verify residency.

What members may receive

  • Up to 25 grams per day and 50 grams per month.
  • Members aged 18–20 are limited to cannabis with a maximum 10% THC content; from age 21 there is no THC ceiling.
  • On-site consumption is not permitted. Clubs distribute; they are not cafés.
  • Cannabis received from a club may only be used personally; passing it on is a criminal offence.

Finding a licensed club

Licensing is run by individual German Länder. By mid-2025, approximately 337 clubs had been licensed, serving about 92,000 members. North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, and Rhineland-Palatinate are ahead in approvals; Bavaria has been notably slow. Each Land publishes its own register; pot.lu's CSC directory aggregates these.

The typical joining process

  1. Submit an application (web form or in person) with ID and proof of address.
  2. Pay a one-off setup fee (usually €20–€50) and a monthly contribution (commonly €25–€50, scaled to expected demand).
  3. Sign the club statutes — most include a minimum membership term of three months.
  4. Pre-order monthly quantity, then collect from the club at scheduled distribution slots.

Sources

This article is general information, not legal advice. Club statutes and Länder rules vary; verify with the specific club before applying.

Find a licensed club near you

The pot.lu CSC directory lists licensed Anbauvereinigungen with location, status, and contact details.

Browse the directory