From what age do the full dispensing quantities apply?

The full dispensing quantities apply to members aged 21 and over: at most 25 grams per day and at most 50 grams per calendar month (§ 19 para. 3 sentence 1 KCanG). Young adults aged 18 to under 21 may receive at most 25 grams per day and at most 30 grams per calendar month, and the cannabis may contain at most 10 percent THC (§ 19 para. 3 sentences 2 and 3 KCanG). Only a person who has turned 18 can become a member (§ 16 para. 1 KCanG). The law therefore distinguishes three groups: minors are excluded, young adults have their own upper limit, and adults from the age of 21 receive the full quantities.

Who may become a member

A cultivation association may only have members who have turned 18 (§ 16 para. 1 KCanG). In addition, a place of residence or habitual abode in Germany is required, to be proven with an official photo ID or other suitable official documents (§ 16 para. 4 KCanG). A person may be a member of only one cultivation association, and an association may have at most 500 members (§ 16 para. 2 KCanG). Anyone who wants to join must declare in writing or electronically that they are not a member of any other cultivation association. The association keeps this self-declaration for three years (§ 16 para. 3 KCanG). Persons under 18 do not have access to the fenced-off premises (§ 23 para. 1 KCanG).

The quantities for members aged 21 and over

Adult members may receive at most 25 grams of cannabis per day and at most 50 grams per calendar month. Both limits apply side by side. For example, on two different days of a month, 25 grams may be handed over each day, which makes 50 grams. More is not permitted in that calendar month. Two handovers on the same day that together exceed 25 grams also exceed the daily limit.

The quantities for young adults

Under § 1 no. 20 KCanG, young adults (Heranwachsende) are persons who have turned 18 but not yet 21. For them a monthly limit of 30 grams applies. The daily maximum remains at 25 grams. The THC content of the cannabis handed over may not exceed 10 percent (§ 19 para. 3 sentence 3 KCanG). The association must regularly take and test random samples of the cannabis it grows to check compliance with the Act, in particular the limits for young adults (§ 18 para. 2 KCanG). If it repeatedly hands over cannabis with a higher THC content to young adults, the authority may revoke the licence (§ 15 para. 1 no. 3 KCanG).

How the association checks age

At every handover, the association must ensure that age and membership are strictly checked, by presenting the membership card together with an official photo ID (§ 19 para. 2 sentence 2 KCanG). Anyone who does not ensure this check acts in breach of the regulations (§ 36 para. 1 nos. 16 and 17 KCanG).

Documenting the handovers

The association must document every handover continuously: 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 (§ 26 para. 2 KCanG). This is the only way to check the daily and monthly totals for each member.

What the limits mean in daily life

Anyone who uses up the full daily limit on one day quickly approaches the monthly limit. The quantity limits apply to handover by the association. They do not determine how much a person may possess privately. The rules on possession are in § 3 KCanG, which other articles in this guide explain. Confusing the two quickly leads to a loss of overview.

The quantity rules are not a measure of health safety. At every handover, associations must point out possible neurological and health damage from use under the age of 25 (§ 21 para. 3 sentence 2 no. 1 KCanG). They must also provide notices on counselling and treatment services (§ 21 para. 3 sentence 1 KCanG).

What members can do now

• Ask which quantities apply to your age.
• Bring your membership card and photo ID to every handover.
• Keep an eye on the amounts received over the month.
• If you have questions about your own use, speak to a counselling service. The association's prevention officer is available as a contact for questions on addiction prevention (§ 23 para. 4 KCanG).

This article cannot answer every individual case. For questions about your own situation, the competent authority or a lawyer specialising in the field can help.

For how annual quantities are planned, see How are the annual cultivation and dispensing quantities set? The monthly quantity is explained in How much may members receive each month? The rules for young members are described in Do young adults aged 18 to 21 receive different quantities? The minimum age is explained in May young people become members of a club?

General information on youth protection can be found in the youth protection section of this website.