Can you carry cannabis on buses and trains?
You may have cannabis with you when you are out and about, as long as you stay within the possession limit. For adults aged 18 and over, the limit for personal use is 25 grams under § 3 para. 1 of the Consumer Cannabis Act (KCanG). This limit is the benchmark for carrying cannabis on buses and trains. In addition, the consumption bans in § 5 KCanG apply. Depending on the location, they can also reach stops and stations, for example within sight of a school.
The possession limit when you are out and about
The 25-gram limit applies to personal use by adults aged 18 and over. It is the general possession limit set out in the law. The higher limit of 50 grams for flowers and plant material is tied to your place of residence or habitual abode (§ 3 para. 2 no. 1 KCanG). When you are out and about, you should therefore follow the lower limit.
| Situation | Amount | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Out and about, personal use, age 18 and over | up to 25 grams | § 3 para. 1 |
| Flowers and plant material at your place of residence or habitual abode | up to 50 grams | § 3 para. 2 no. 1 |
For a more detailed overview of flowers, read Does the 50-gram limit apply to flowers and plant material?
What carrying cannabis means in daily life
In practice, this means you take only as much as you need for the day. A supply belongs at home, where it can be kept locked. If you carry cannabis in a bag, keep it packaged and not loose. That way, fellow passengers or children do not see what they should not see.
The possession limit is an upper limit. It does not regulate where you may consume. Those rules come from § 5 KCanG, which is explained in the next section.
Places to consume around buses and trains
Stops, stations and their surroundings are often in busy city centres. Several bans can apply at the same time:
- Pedestrian zones: consumption is prohibited between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. (§ 5 para. 2 no. 5).
- Schools and their line of sight: public consumption is prohibited (§ 5 para. 2 no. 1).
- Children's playgrounds, facilities for children and young people, and publicly accessible sports facilities, each including their line of sight (§ 5 para. 2).
- Direct presence of minors: consumption is prohibited, regardless of location (§ 5 para. 1).
Stops in front of schools are a particularly obvious example. In the morning and at midday, many pupils gather there. If you consume on a school day in such a location, several bans can coincide.
Minors on the bus or train
Buses and trains often carry children and young people. The ban in § 5 para. 1 KCanG depends on the direct presence of minors. If you consume on a crowded school bus while a minor is directly present, you break the ban. The time of day does not matter here.
Practical steps for the journey
- Decide the amount in advance and take only that much.
- Check your route: are a school, a playground or a pedestrian zone on the way?
- Pay attention to the time, especially between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. in pedestrian zones.
- If minors are nearby, postpone consumption.
- If you are unsure, do not consume and, if possible, change location.
If the limit is exceeded
Anyone who has more than 25 but no more than 30 grams on them outside their place of residence or habitual abode commits an administrative offence under § 36 KCanG. Above 30 grams, possession is a criminal offence under § 34 para. 1 no. 1 letter a KCanG. For flowers and plant material, the amounts refer to the weight after drying. If you have more with you than the law allows for personal use, have the case assessed early. The article What can happen if you possess more than 25 grams outside your home? covers this situation. For specific questions about an incident, courts decide case by case. A specialist lawyer (Fachanwältin or Fachanwalt) can classify the matter.
Prevention while travelling
According to the BIÖG, cannabis can affect the developing young brain. Memory can work less well, and in the worst case a school or vocational qualification can be at risk. These findings are a reason to plan consumption for times when you have the situation under control.
An honest question helps: are you consuming because you want to, or because you happen to be out and about? If you answer this question regularly, you notice patterns earlier.
Where to get help
If you are worried about your own use, the Sucht & Drogen Hotline (addiction and drugs hotline) is available on 01806 313031. Its website is sucht-und-drogen-hotline.de. For questions about possession, a local counselling centre can help.
Frequently asked questions
How much cannabis may I carry on the train?
For adults aged 18 and over, the limit for personal use is up to 25 grams under § 3 para. 1 KCanG. The higher limit of 50 grams for flowers and plant material applies, according to the wording of the law, at your place of residence or habitual abode. When you are out and about, follow the lower limit. If you are unsure, a counselling centre or a specialist lawyer (Fachanwältin or Fachanwalt) can help.
May I consume cannabis on the train?
Whether a place is covered depends on the rules in § 5. These include schools and their line of sight, playgrounds, facilities for children and young people, publicly accessible sports facilities, pedestrian zones between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., and the direct presence of minors. On a route through a city, several of these points can coincide. If you are unsure, postpone consumption.
Who helps with questions about possession when out and about?
A local counselling centre can help you assess the situation. For legal questions about a specific incident, courts decide case by case, and a specialist lawyer (Fachanwältin or Fachanwalt) can classify it. The Sucht & Drogen Hotline is available on 01806 313031.