Expert Panel Discussion on German Cannabis Legalisation
Date: 19 November 2025
Time: 3 to 5pm 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. The
first interim evaluation report
was released on 29 September 2025.
During a panel discussion with renowned experts in the field, we will present our initial findings and invite the panelists to offer critical feedback on our work. Their diverse professional backgrounds will allow us to comprehensively compare the German legalisation model with the regulations in other jurisdictions. The expert panel will consist of:
- Sharon Sznitman is a public health researcher specializing 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.