Cannabis Social Clubs: This is how the first legal distribution in Germany went

Questions & Answers as of November 2, 2024. Authors: Laura Lippert

Image: Imago | Bihlmayer photography

In Ganderkesee, grass was distributed to members of a cannabis social club for the first time in Germany. How it works and who is behind it.

A historic event: After almost 100 years of prohibition, cannabis consumers can get their weed legally – without a prescription. The first approved Cannabis Social Club is in Ganderkesee and is a pioneer in the new concept. After the first harvest, the product is passed on to the members two weeks later. How that went and what hurdles still lie ahead.

How did the first day of submission go?

Press representatives from all over Germany came to the Schlutter Mühle in Ganderkesee to take a look at the whole thing. The Cannabis Social Club (CSC) Ganderkesee has distributed the first harvest to around 60 members. The delivery itself took place behind closed doors without cameras and the product was also hidden in opaque paper bags. According to the CSC, the reason is the cannabis law, which prohibits clubs from content that promotes consumption – including possible advertising.

The first buyer was Michael Jaskulewiecz, a 46-year-old nursing manager from the Oldenburg area. Because he once came across bad grass on the street, he stopped many years ago, he says. He now feels safe with the controlled, clean cannabis.

It’s an awesome feeling. However, it’s also strange to say so openly ‘Yes, I consume cannabis’, but someone has to be the first and have the courage.

Michael Jaskulewiecz, member of the CSC Ganderkesee club

The remaining members also came from the region. Both young and old people were there. Everyone was represented, from regular consumers to complete newbies. Nothing was given to the 18 to 21 year old members that day. By law, they only receive cannabis with a lower THC content. This should happen with the next submission in two weeks. The members were also not allowed to consume on site.

Michael Jaskulewiecz is the first buyer of the Cannabis Social Club’s first harvest. Image: Radio Bremen

How much is awarded per person?

The levy is regulated by law. An individual is allowed to collect 25 grams in one day, although the limit is 50 grams per month. In any case, not such large quantities were passed over on the first day of delivery. Most members first got a few grams to try. Like Michael Jaskulewiecz, who took a gram of all four varieties on offer.

How many members does the club have?

The demand is great: a cannabis club can have 500 members and these have been maxed out in Ganderkesee. According to the club’s board, there are also over 1,000 people on the waiting list. In order to meet the great demand, the board members of the CSC Ganderkesee are already helping to set up two additional clubs in the region, which are then primarily intended for the people on the waiting list.

We don’t want to leave people to the black market.

Daniel Keune, First Chairman of the Board of CSC Ganderkesee

How does the Cannabis Social Club work?

The CSC is not allowed to make a profit. The chairmen of the board also do their work on a voluntary basis. Daniel Keune, for example, is actually an electronics engineer and plans industrial plants. “My motivation is to produce clean grass without additives. I also support this concept of prevention and education,” said the chairman.
Members pay an individual membership fee – either once or regularly. There is no basic fee at the club in Ganderkesee. This means that each member can decide for themselves what they want to pay. However, cannabis clubs handle this differently.
Anyone who has paid a contribution will then receive credits via an app. These credits can in turn be exchanged for the varieties when they are handed in. Converted, the prices are around 10 euros per gram.

The club keeps secret where the plants are grown for security reasons. Image: Radio Bremen

What hurdles are there at the club?

For a club to be approved, it must meet many legal requirements – from transportation to labeling to dispensing. Youth protection and security concepts must also be guaranteed. At the CSC Ganderkesee, a prevention officer and a youth protection coordinator check their members closely and offer help and advice if there are any abnormalities or refer people to other places. The location where the cannabis is grown is also not disclosed for security reasons. However, the association sees the reputation that precedes cannabis users as the biggest hurdle.

Our first priority is to show that we are normal people.

Daniel Keune, First Chairman of the Board of CSC Ganderkesee

What are the next steps?

According to Keune, the next delivery is coming up in two weeks. The plants would be harvested in such a way that they could distribute cannabis to members at regular intervals. In total, the club is expected to produce up to 75 kilos per year.