Expert Panel Discussion: German Cannabis Legalisation - Latest Evaluation Results
Date: 12 November 2026
Time: 12 to 2 pm CET
Location: Online via Zoom
Language: English
The Cannabis Act, which came into force in April 2024, has legalised the private and collective cultivation of cannabis for non-medical purposes by adults, and liberalised the prescription rules for medical cannabis. The non-medical regulations are set out in the 'Act on the Handling of Cannabis for Non-Medical Use' (Konsumcannabisgesetz, or KCanG), which includes a section on the scientific evaluation of the legislation. Acting on these provisions, the EKOCAN research alliance aims to evaluate the impact of the KCanG on public health outcomes, youth protection, and cannabis-related crime. Following the first interim evaluation report in September 2025, the second interim report was published on 1 April 2026, marking the second anniversary of the Cannabis Act. It covers data available up to March 2026, with a particular focus on organised crime.
Following our first expert panel in November 2025, we will once again present our latest findings and invite renowned experts to offer critical feedback on our work during the panel discussion. Their diverse professional backgrounds will also enable us to compare the German legalisation model with the regulations in place in other jurisdictions. The expert panel will comprise:
The expert panel will consist of:
- Sharon Sznitman is a public health researcher specialising in medical cannabis policies and the social impacts of legalisation.
- Margriet van Laar is an expert in drug monitoring and policy evaluation with a focus on cannabis use and harm reduction in Europe.
- Robin Hofmann is a criminologist known for research on cannabis legislation, enforcement, and drug policy reform in Germany.
The event is free and everyone is welcome to attend the expert panel. Please use the form below to register and receive the event access details.