Cannabis Possession Limits in Germany Under the KCanG

Viktor·October 22, 2026·7 min reading time

Tower of the Reichstag building in Berlin with columns and statues against a blue sky — puffin11uk / Openverse, CC0 1.0 · CC0 1.0

Under German law, how much cannabis a person may possess depends on where it is kept. Adults aged 18 and over may possess up to 25 grams of cannabis for personal use outside their home, and up to 50 grams plus 3 living cannabis plants at their domicile or habitual residence. Combined, the amount possessed may not exceed 50 grams. These limits apply only in Germany; cannabis laws differ widely between countries, so residents and travelers elsewhere should check the rules that apply where they are.

These limits are set out in § 3 of the German Cannabis Act (KCanG). The KCanG has been in force since 1 April 2024 and has been amended once, by an act of 20 June 2024. Possessing an amount slightly above the permitted limit is an administrative offense (Ordnungswidrigkeit). Possession becomes a criminal offense only above a second, higher threshold.

Permitted amounts and legal consequences at a glance

The table compares the permitted amounts under § 3 KCanG with the fines under § 36 KCanG and the criminal penalties under § 34 KCanG. For flowers, leaves close to the flower, and other plant material, the weight that counts is the dried weight.

Context	Permitted	Administrative offense	Criminal offense
Possession outside a domicile or habitual residence	up to 25 grams	more than 25 up to 30 grams	more than 30 grams
Possession in total, including at home	up to 50 grams	more than 50 up to 60 grams	more than 60 grams
Living cannabis plants at a residence	up to 3 plants	no separate stage	more than 3 plants

What counts as cannabis under German law

§ 1 No. 8 KCanG defines the term broadly. It covers plants, flowers and other plant parts, the resin of the plant, and preparations made from it. The possession limits therefore apply to marijuana, defined under § 1 No. 4 KCanG as the dried flowers and leaves close to the flower, and equally to hashish, the separated resin under § 1 No. 5 KCanG.

Exempt from the definition are, among other things, cannabis used for medical purposes under the Medical Cannabis Act, CBD, industrial hemp, and propagation material. Under § 1 No. 7 KCanG, propagation material means seeds and cuttings. § 4 KCanG sets a separate rule for seeds: handling them is permitted as long as they are not intended for unauthorized cultivation. For private or collective home growing, seeds may only be imported from member states of the European Union.

Cannabis possession at home

Under § 3(2) KCanG, the higher limit of 50 grams applies only at a person's domicile or habitual residence, and only within the territorial scope of the law. According to the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG), this amount applies to each adult individually, and the limit of 3 plants likewise applies per adult member of a household.

For private home growing, § 9(1) KCanG sets the same upper limit: 3 plants at any one time. After drying, the harvest also falls under the overall 50-gram limit and, under § 9(2) KCanG, may not be passed on to third parties.

In addition, § 10 KCanG requires that cannabis and propagation material at a residence be protected “by suitable measures and safeguards from access by third parties, in particular children and adolescents.” As an example, the BMG cites lockable cabinets or rooms. If this protection is missing, it is an administrative offense under § 36(1) No. 6 KCanG.

Exceeding the possession limit

Between permitted possession and a criminal offense lies a range that § 36(1) No. 1 KCanG classifies as an administrative offense: more than 25 up to 30 grams outside the domicile, and more than 50 up to 60 grams in total. § 36(2) KCanG sets a fine of up to €30,000 for this.

Above these amounts, criminal law applies. Under § 34(1) No. 1 KCanG, a person who possesses more than 30 grams outside the domicile, more than 60 grams in total, or more than 3 living cannabis plants faces imprisonment of up to 3 years or a fine.

For particularly severe cases, § 34(3) KCanG names, among others, offenses involving a non-negligible quantity. The sentencing range is then 3 months to 5 years of imprisonment. In a ruling of 24 April 2024 (4 StR 50/24), the Federal Court of Justice (Bundesgerichtshof) set this threshold at 7.5 grams of THC. What matters is therefore the active ingredient content, not the weight of the plant material.

Cannabis clubs, minors, and other special cases

More than 25 grams outside the home is permitted under § 3(3) KCanG only on the enclosed premises of a licensed cultivation association under § 11(1) KCanG, and during transport under § 22(3) KCanG. How much a cultivation association may pass on to members is set out in § 19(3) KCanG: a maximum of 25 grams per day and 50 grams per calendar month. For members aged 18 to under 21, the limit is 30 grams per calendar month, with a THC content of no more than 10%.

There is no permitted possession amount for minors, since the exceptions in § 2(3) KCanG apply only from age 18. According to the BMG, the competent authority seizes, retains, and destroys cannabis found with minors. Where there are significant indications of a risk to a child's welfare, the local youth welfare office must also be informed. Above 30 or 60 grams, the BMG states, adults and adolescents alike become criminally liable.

Two further limits follow from § 2 KCanG. In military areas of the German armed forces (Bundeswehr), the exceptions for adults do not apply. The import of cannabis is among the prohibitions under § 2(1) KCanG and is not covered by the exceptions. Further articles on law, cultivation, and effects are gathered in the info overview.

Evaluation of the possession limits and status of the legislation

Under § 43(2) KCanG, the possession limits were to be evaluated by 1 October 2025. The first interim report of the EKOCAN research project appeared in September 2025. Beck-aktuell and the Anwaltspraxis Magazin summarized the findings as follows: the 25-gram limit does not keep most users from carrying their typical personal supply. Police, by contrast, consider the amount too high, arguing that it hampers investigations into illegal trade. Regarding the home limit, the researchers found that the harvest from 3 plants usually exceeds 50 grams. They did not conclude that urgent action was needed on the possession limits.

EKOCAN presented its second interim report on 1 April 2026. The BMG, together with the Federal Ministry of the Interior, the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, and the Federal Government's Drug Commissioner, then identified an urgent need for action. Among the reasons cited were a sharp decline in participation in early-intervention programs, the misuse of medical cannabis for recreational purposes, and poorly regulated online offers. The BMG's press release did not announce any change to the possession limits. A bill from the Greens parliamentary group (Drucksache 21/2116), on which the Bundestag held a hearing on 14 October 2026, likewise concerns industrial hemp rather than § 3 KCanG.

Timeline from the KCanG entering into force to the 2026 Bundestag hearing — Graphic: Graswiese

Frequently asked questions

How much cannabis can you legally possess in Germany?

Adults aged 18 and over may possess up to 25 grams of cannabis for personal use outside their home. At their domicile or habitual residence, up to 50 grams and 3 living cannabis plants are permitted. The total amount possessed may not exceed 50 grams.

Does the 50-gram home limit in Germany apply per person or per household?

According to the Federal Ministry of Health, the amount applies to each adult individually. The limit of 3 plants likewise applies per adult member of a household.

What happens if you carry more than 25 grams of cannabis in public in Germany?

More than 25 up to 30 grams outside the domicile is an administrative offense that can carry a fine of up to €30,000. Above 30 grams, a person faces imprisonment of up to 3 years or a fine.

Does hashish count toward Germany's cannabis possession limit?

Yes. Besides flowers and plant parts, the KCanG also counts the resin of the plant as cannabis. The limits under § 3 KCanG therefore apply to hashish as well.

Can minors possess cannabis in Germany?

No. The exceptions under the KCanG apply only from age 18. According to the Federal Ministry of Health, the competent authority seizes, retains, and destroys cannabis found with minors.

Sources

As of: 21 October 2026

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical or therapeutic advice. If you have any health-related questions, please consult a doctor or another qualified professional.