The first legal cannabis social club in Germany starts selling

The "Cannabis Social Club Ganderkesee" in Ganderkesee, Lower Saxony, is the first club in Germany to sell legal cannabis products to its members. This is an important step towards a regulated cannabis landscape, not only for the club, but for the country as a whole. After receiving its cultivation licence in July, the club has grown around 400 plants over the past few months and has now been able to reap its first harvest.

This harvest marks the start of a new era in which adult members of the club can buy controlled cannabis for the first time without having to rely on the black market. The cannabis has been available to registered club members since the beginning of November - a milestone for Ganderkesee and a signal for a safer alternative.

From cultivation to distribution: the path to the first legal cannabis harvest

After the "Cannabis Social Club Ganderkesee" received its cultivation licence in July 2024, it acted quickly. Under the leadership of club chairman Daniel Keune and his team, the club started the first legal cultivation in Germany. Around 400 plants were grown in a secure hall in a secret location - a process that took place under the watchful eye of the Lower Saxony Chamber of Agriculture, which carried out regular unannounced inspections. This monitoring is intended to ensure that all safety standards are met and that the legally permitted cultivation quantities are not exceeded.

The club members lent a helping hand: Within just a few months - and thanks to the rapid growth of the robust "White Widow" strain - the team was able to harvest the first crop as early as October. The harvested plants were then dried, cleaned and carefully packaged in a complex process in order to guarantee the quality and THC content. "It is important to us that the products are not only legal, but also absolutely safe for our members," emphasised Keune.

Delivery to members: Secure and controlled access

After the first batch was completed at the beginning of November, club members were now able to purchase legally grown cannabis for the first time. Distribution is subject to strict rules: Members aged 21 and over may purchase up to 50 grams of cannabis per month, while the limit for younger members aged between 18 and 21 is 30 grams. The club offers a selection of strains with different THC levels and effect profiles, including the popular "Euphoria" and "Royal Cookies" strains, which have either a calming or energising effects effect.

In order to comply with the legal requirements, the club uses a specially developed "hemp app" that records every purchase and ensures that no person exceeds the permitted quantity or is a member of several clubs at the same time. This digital solution not only makes administration easier, but also ensures transparency and traceability.

With this first harvest and the distribution to members, the club has sent a strong signal: it is possible to grow and distribute cannabis in a legal and controlled framework - a role model for other cannabis social clubs and a big step for cannabis policy in Germany.

A step against the black market: the social club as a safe alternative

With the opening of the "Cannabis Social Club Ganderkesee" and the launch of the first legal dispensary in Germany, one thing above all is to be achieved: the black market is to be weakened in the long term. By providing strictly controlled, safe cannabis products, members gain access to quality instead of risk - in an environment that is transparent and regulated. For consumers who previously had to rely on unsecured sources, the club represents a real alternative.

Association chairman Daniel Keune sees this as an opportunity for the future: "Our aim is to provide consumers with safe and responsible access to cannabis. This not only protects consumers, but also shows that such a structure works." Close cooperation with the Lower Saxony Chamber of Agriculture and regular inspections are intended to ensure that the club produces exclusively for its registered members and strictly adheres to the legal cultivation and dispensing quantities.

Prevention and responsibility: A comprehensive safety concept

In addition to safe distribution, the club is also focussing on a broad prevention and education concept. Prevention Officer Isabell Logemann is currently developing detailed protective measures to minimise potential risks for members. The club works closely with regional addiction support and prevention centres and is in contact with the youth welfare office and local educational institutions.

There is a particular focus on educating younger members who are under 21 years old. There are lower THC limits and stricter purchase limits for them. "We don't just want to make cannabis available, we also want to take responsibility," explains Logemann. The club is even planning to collaborate with a driving school to teach young people about the risks of drug use in road traffic. An "instruction leaflet" is also in the works, explaining the most important rules of consumption and precautions and informing members where and how they are allowed to consume.

Conclusion: A pilot project with a signalling effect

The launch of the first Cannabis Social Club in Ganderkesee is more than just a regional experiment. It represents an important step in the controlled development of the legalisation of cannabis in Germany. The club offers its members a safe alternative to the black market and at the same time sets an example for responsible consumption. With further social clubs planned and the aim of establishing commercial outlets by 2025, the model of the "Cannabis Social Club Ganderkesee" could become a real role model for future cannabis policy in Germany.