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Last week, the Business of Cannabis: Berlin Executive Summit welcomed over 150 executives, policymakers, and thought leaders to take stock of how the first eight months of Germany’s landmark CanG bill had impacted the market and discuss how the uncertain future could play out.
The exclusive half-day summit, which took place at Palisa.de on 26 November, saw panelists from around the world explore varied commercial opportunities within the new regulatory framework and deep dive into the challenges they present.
Earlier in the month, Germany’s incumbent ‘traffic light’ coalition collapsed, with expectations that the driving force behind the landmark cannabis reform will soon be replaced with a right-leaning government far less amenable to the recent liberalisation.
Following a heated debate on the country’s recent partial legalisation of cannabis, positioning the pieces for cannabis to become a critical issue in the upcoming snap election, the day began with an exploration of what the collapse will mean for CanG.
The Impact of 2025 Elections on German Cannabis Policy
Panelists Olivia Enwenike, Vasili Franco, Georg Wurth, and Frederike Fäscher examined the political and regulatory landscape shaping Germany’s cannabis industry.
They highlighted the importance of clarity in government roles, particularly for evaluating model project applications.
Georg Wurth underscored the need for consistent regulatory frameworks to support businesses. The panel encouraged companies to proactively secure cultivation licenses, which are protected by trust principles, ensuring they remain prepared for future developments regardless of political shifts.
Opinions varied on whether the CanG could be repealed under a new government. While some believed repeal was unlikely, others suggested certain elements could face revisions.
For the edible CBD market, the panel clarified that the focus lies in regulation, not prohibition, creating cautious optimism for stakeholders.
CBD and Hemp: Opportunities and Challenges
With recent positive developments regarding hemp and CBD regulations in Germany, seeing the controversial ‘intoxication clause’ finally scrapped, the future of this market too seemed uncertain.
Marijn Roersch van der Hoogte, Niels Lutzhöft, Phillip Ferrer, and Lisa Haag reflected on regulatory uncertainty, with Niels explaining that initial classifications positioned CBD as a potential drug, complicating its market trajectory.
Phillip highlighted the shift in marketing CBD as a cosmetic product due to strict pharmaceutical laws, adding complexity to the German market.
Marijn emphasized hemp’s broader potential, advocating for its industrial applications and liberalised regulations to unlock its full value.
Panelists stressed the importance of removing the ‘Rauschklausel’ (intoxication clause) to mitigate legal challenges and encourage innovation.
They called for greater industry collaboration and proactive self-regulation to build trust and set the stage for fair competition.
Cannabis Clubs and Commercial Opportunities
With Pillar 2 looking increasingly unlikely to be passed in the immediate future, many are now looking towards Germany’s rapidly growing cannabis clubs as the future of adult-use cannabis in the country.
Lisa Haag, Timo Bongartz, and Dr. Peter Reinhardt delved into the operational and financial hurdles of running cannabis clubs in Germany.
The complexity of the CanG and fragmented state regulations have posed significant challenges for club operators.
Timo highlighted the need for more clubs to ensure equitable access and ecosystem growth, while Peter detailed the comprehensive services his company offers to support clubs, including property sourcing and compliance management.
The panel emphasised the importance of balancing supply and demand and fostering trust through transparent operations.
On scaling opportunities, ideas such as co-locating multiple clubs in one building and introducing alternative revenue streams were discussed. Panelists concluded that bridging the gap between medical and recreational markets will be key to unlocking the sector’s full potential.
Medical Cannabis as a Cornerstone for Growth
Just days before the event, Germany’s Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) published the medical cannabis import figures for Q3, showing that medical cannabis imports grew by over 70% from the previous period
Since April 01, 2024, and the implementation of CanG and MedCanG, cannabis has no longer been considered a ‘narcotic’ substance in Germany, making the process of both securing and prescribing medical cannabis significantly easier.
Speakers Larissa Mössmer, Dr. Christian von der Groeben, Farida Hussain, and Benedikt Sons explored how medical cannabis (MedCan) remains the dominant segment in Germany.
Larissa predicted that the recreational market would not meet GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) standards, solidifying MedCan’s leading role.
Panelists called for stricter telemedicine regulations and more government support for domestic cultivation.
They also debated protective taxes, with some advocating for free trade based on quality and competitive pricing. Benedikt emphasized that a product’s unique selling point, rather than its origin, would determine success in the German market.
Future Market Dynamics: Consolidation and Innovation
In the final panel Sasho Stefanoski, Stephen Murphy, Pablo Zuanic, Finn Age Hänsel, and Yuval Soiref, focused on long-term strategies and market resilience.
Pablo noted that current conditions are not conducive to market consolidation, while Finn highlighted the challenges of political uncertainty and high competition.
Yuval stressed the importance of innovation, digitalisation, and data analytics to drive industry growth.
Panelists agreed on the need for strategic alliances and patient-centric operations to build trust with regulators and ensure long-term success. Finn emphasized the shift toward maintaining lean operations and adapting business models to meet evolving patient needs.
“}]] Last week, the Business of Cannabis: Berlin Executive Summit welcomed over 150 executives, policymakers, and thought leaders to take stock of how the first eight months of Germany’s landmark CanG bill had impacted the market and discuss how the uncertain future could play out. Read More
