How often may a member collect cannabis?

The number of collections is not set by law; it is the quantity that is limited. A member aged 21 or over may receive at most 25 grams per day and at most 50 grams per calendar month (§ 19 para. 3 KCanG). The law sets no minimum interval between two collections. The pickup frequency follows from these two limits and from the association's own processes. This article shows the limits, works through an example and names the duties the association has in doing so.

The limits at a glance

Dispensing is graded by age. The table reflects § 19 para. 3 KCanG.

Group	Maximum per day	Maximum per calendar month	THC content
Members aged 21 and over	25 grams	50 grams	no specification in § 19 para. 3 KCanG
Young adults (18 to under 21)	25 grams	30 grams	at most 10 percent

If you use these figures for your own planning, read the wording of § 19 KCanG yourself.

Who counts as a young adult

Young adults (Heranwachsende) are, under § 1 no. 20 KCanG, persons who have turned 18 but not yet 21. For them the lower monthly limit of 30 grams applies. The cannabis handed over may contain at most 10 percent THC (§ 19 para. 3 sentence 3 KCanG). Once a member turns 21, the higher monthly limit applies. The association must check the age at every handover (§ 19 para. 2 sentence 2 KCanG). The article How much may members receive each month? covers young members in more detail.

A worked example

A member aged 21 or over collects 25 grams on the 1st of a month. The daily limit is then reached, and no further handover is possible on the same day. On the 2nd, the member may again receive up to 25 grams, because the daily limit applies anew and the monthly allowance is still sufficient. After that, the 50 grams for the month are used up, and until the next calendar month no further handover is permitted, not even in small amounts.

For young adults the room for manoeuvre is smaller. Someone who may receive 30 grams per month can receive 25 grams on one day and the remaining 5 grams on another day. After that the monthly limit is reached. The monthly limit is therefore usually the decisive figure.

Who has to monitor the limits

The limits apply to the association: it may not hand over more than § 19 para. 3 KCanG allows. To do this, it must document every handover continuously, with name, first name and year of birth of the member, quantity in grams, average THC content and date (§ 26 para. 1 no. 5 KCanG). The records must be kept for five years and transmitted electronically to the authority on request (§ 26 para. 2 KCanG). The authority regularly checks on site whether the association complies with the requirements (§ 27 para. 1 KCanG), and the association must tolerate and support the inspection (§ 29 KCanG). The records are the basis for checking the daily and monthly totals for each member. How the association determines the remaining amount, for example with a table or a programme, is for the association to decide.

Why the rhythm remains open

The law sets daily and monthly limits, not a fixed collection interval. Whether an association provides fixed pickup days or time slots is set out in its articles or house rules. In doing so, it must observe the rules on place and control: dispensing takes place only within the fenced-off premises, with the handing-over and receiving members present in person (§ 19 para. 2 KCanG). Shipping and delivery are prohibited (§ 19 para. 4 KCanG).

Quantity is not everything

The limits say nothing about whether consumption is problematic. A monthly limit is a legal framework, not a statement about tolerability. A member may stay within the limit and still notice that their use causes problems in daily life. The association is obliged to contribute to comprehensive youth and health protection and must provide information on risks and on counselling and treatment services when handing over (§ 23 para. 4 and § 21 para. 3 KCanG).

If you notice that your use is causing problems, you can contact the Sucht und Drogen Hotline (addiction and drug hotline, 01806 313031). An anonymous self-assessment is offered by the drugcom cannabis check.

If the limit is exceeded

A handover beyond the limits of § 19 para. 3 KCanG is not permitted for the association. The authority may revoke or partly withdraw the licence if the association repeatedly exceeds the handover quantities set under § 19 para. 3 sentence 2 (§ 15 para. 1 no. 3 KCanG). Which further consequences arise for the association and those involved depends on the individual case and is not a question this article can answer. The article What happens if a club exceeds the quantities? outlines the consequences.

Open questions and who answers them

Whether an association has fixed pickup days, you learn from the association itself. How the authority interprets the limits in an individual case, you ask the competent state authority. For questions about a specific matter, a lawyer specialising in the field can classify the situation. Courts decide in individual cases.