Which rules help when dealing with cannabis at home?

Rules help families create clarity in everyday life when cannabis plays a part. They prevent every situation from having to be negotiated anew. Good rules stay within the legal limits of the Cannabis Act (KCanG) and above all protect children and young people in the household. This guide shows which key legal points apply, which family rules are possible and how to agree on them together.

Why rules help in the household

Without agreements, conflicts can arise from uncertainty. A child does not know what is allowed, and an adult does not know what the others tolerate. Clear rules take that pressure away. They also make clear what you expect, without it becoming a question of blame.

Rules work best when everyone involved helps to develop them. Adults and older teenagers can make suggestions. Younger children need simple rules that they can understand. It is important that rules are kept, otherwise they lose their effect.

The legal limits at a glance

The KCanG sets a framework that every family rule should respect. For adults aged 18 and over, possession of up to 25 grams of cannabis is allowed. At the place of residence or habitual residence, a higher limit of up to 50 grams applies to flowers, leaves close to the flower or other plant material.

Use is prohibited in the immediate presence of people under 18. This is the most important rule for any household with children. It covers smoking or vaping in the flat, just as it covers any other situation in which a child witnesses use.

Home cultivation is allowed from age 18, with no more than three cannabis plants in total at the same time. Cannabis from private home cultivation may not be passed on to third parties. Anyone keeping plants at home should therefore pay particular attention to who has access.

Passing on to children and young people

Passing cannabis on to children and young people is punishable. The law makes the supply or passing on a criminal offence and names a particularly serious case in section 34. As a typical example, this covers passing cannabis to a child or young person by someone aged over 21. The statutory penalty then ranges from three months to five years' imprisonment (section 34(3)). For individual cases, consult a law firm.

For families, this means cannabis belongs out of children's reach. Store substances securely and talk in the family about who may pass what on to whom. If in doubt, seek advice before a mistake happens.

A pattern for family rules

The list below shows examples of rules. You can adapt them to your family.

• Cannabis is not used in the presence of children, and this includes the balcony or garden when children are there.
• Substances and paraphernalia are stored locked away.
• Conversations about use take place without reproaches. Anyone who is worried may say so.
• Friends and visitors are told the rules before they come.
• Anyone who breaks a rule talks about it and does not hide it.

Every family has different needs. What matters is that the rules are understandable and that adults follow them themselves.

Rules for teenagers in the household

Older teenagers need different rules from small children. They want a say and want to take responsibility. A good rule for teenagers concerns trust and information: they tell you where they are, and you tell them what consequences use can have for school, training and health. The cannabispraevention.de website gives parents arguments for why cannabis is especially risky for young people. These arguments can be turned into family rules.

The guide How do I talk to my child about cannabis? helps to anchor these rules in conversation.

When rules are no longer enough

If use becomes entrenched in everyday life, school or work suffers, or your child withdraws, family rules often are no longer enough. Then involve a counselling service. An overview is provided by the guide Where can I find an addiction counselling service for cannabis?. In acute danger, call the emergency number 112.

Prevention in the household

Family rules are prevention in themselves. They make dangers visible, protect children from unintended contact and create a framework for open conversations. A rule that people agree on together is easier to keep.

Agreeing on rules together

Sit down together calmly once any argument has settled. Each person in the household names two points that matter to them. A short list emerges from this. It should contain no more than five rules, so that it is easy to remember. Write the rules down and put them up where everyone can see them. Children who cannot yet read understand drawings or symbols.

Make sure that rules on health and safety apply to everyone in the household. Anyone who breaks a rule themselves undermines it. Adults may have their own boundaries that do not apply to children. Address this openly, so that children understand the differences.

When a rule is broken

Broken rules are a reason for a conversation. Ask what happened and listen before you discuss consequences. Consequences should be known in advance, proportionate and explainable. Do not impose punishments you cannot sustain. A child learns more from a clear, fair response than from a harsh one that is later withdrawn.

If rules are repeatedly broken, or if you feel threatened, talk early to a counselling service or to the youth welfare office (Jugendamt). In acute danger, call the emergency number 112.

Reviewing rules regularly

Family rules do not last forever. When age, school or life circumstances change, review the rules together. One meeting a month is often enough. Ask which rule works well, which causes friction and what is missing. Anyone who raises the rules regularly takes the edge off them and keeps the conversation open.

What you can do now

1. Sit down with your family and collect three rules that everyone understands.
2. Check whether the rules match the legal limits.
3. Store substances securely and talk about who has access.
4. Arrange a date to review the rules after a few weeks.
5. Seek advice if rules are not being kept.