2020-01-24: As the cannabis industry, we are committed to establishing an innovative and sustainable market for cannabis products based on product quality, consumer protection, and adherence to emerging quality standards.

We are currently active in the areas of medical cannabis, industrial hemp, CBD, as well as technology, trade, and services. As a young and growing association, we will continue to work on practical policy proposals for the cannabis industry in Germany and will further differentiate our demands in the future.

Medical Cannabis

Germany plays a progressive role in Europe when it comes to medical cannabis. The foundation for a strong future market position in a high-wage country like Germany is technological and innovative leadership in the development and production of cannabis products—combined with top quality and reliability.

Key current issues include import and cultivation licenses. Other relevant topics are regulations for further processing (e.g., extracts), questions of storage (security), and packaging (final products).

The following points are central:

• Improve regulations for medical cannabis cultivation, e.g., by allowing more sustainable growing methods in controlled greenhouses rather than only high-security facilities.
• Promote continuing education for doctors and pharmacists regarding the medical uses of cannabis.
• Support scientific application research on medical cannabis through public funding.
• Standardize all official regulations and procedures for companies in the medical cannabis sector nationwide.
• Reduce costs for both the solidarity-based health system and patients, for example, by revising the Drug Price Ordinance. 

Where possible, support the approval of cannabinoid-based finished pharmaceuticals through political and regulatory action.

Industrial Hemp & Hemp-Based Foods

In the field of industrial hemp, regulations under the German Narcotics Act (BtMG) hinder its simple use as an industrial commodity. Not all EU-certified varieties are suitable for diverse applications. THC limits vary across Europe, and bureaucratic procedures and unnecessary reporting obligations still obstruct the easy and straightforward use of cannabis as a bio-based raw material—e.g., for insulation, hemp plastics, oil, or textiles. The potential of hemp for sustainable agriculture and climate protection must be more widely communicated.

For the industrial hemp industry, it’s crucial to:

• Increase product demand through public outreach.
• Promote value chains for both traditional and innovative products.
• Support the processing, technical development, and marketing of hemp in the interest of hemp farmers and sustainable agricultural policy.

The following are our key policy demands:

• Establish hemp innovation clusters and support the development of specialized harvesting and processing equipment.
• Promote producer networks to connect farmers with innovative companies interested in working with hemp but currently lacking supply.
• Provide financial support for hemp cultivation in Germany through newly created per-hectare subsidies.
• Restructure the registration and control procedures under the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE), e.g., by eliminating mandatory harvest release to give farmers more flexibility.
• Adjust overly cautious THC limits for hemp-based agricultural products; in the short term, we consider a limit of 1.0% THC to be practical and achievable.
• Medium-term goal: remove EU-certified industrial hemp from the scope of the BtMG.
• Modernize food law restrictions shaped by decades of cannabis prohibition.
• Combat overregulation of hemp in foods.
• Raise public awareness of hemp’s nutritional and sustainability value. 

Adjust THC thresholds in hemp-containing foods based on scientific evidence.

Cannabidiol (CBD) & Other Cannabinoids (Non-Medical Sector)

The BvCW supports the use of CBD for medical purposes as part of the medical cannabis sector (see above).

The market for CBD and other cannabinoid products is experiencing rapid growth. However, manufacturers and retailers face increasing regulations—sometimes even legal action by regulatory authorities and prosecutors. The BvCW advocates for legal certainty in the commercialization and trade of CBD and cannabinoid products by engaging with policymakers, industry, and consumers. A new black market—similar to that for THC-containing products—must be avoided.

Our key positions:

• Consumer protection, framework conditions, and quality standards must be addressed in dialogue with all stakeholders for each application type (e.g., food, cosmetics).
• The classification of CBD extracts as “novel food” must be critically re-evaluated and revised.
• We commit to active dialogue with authorities and decision-makers.
• Scientific insights should shape workable frameworks for using CBD in foods and cosmetics.
• Natural CBD must be accepted for use in food and other consumer products. 

We demand:

• Reliable legal frameworks for the lawful marketability of CBD and CBD products.
• Quality assurance and standardization of CBD products and analytical methods.
• Evaluation of a certification system for quality assurance.

Nationwide standardization of regulations and procedures for companies in the cannabinoid industry.

Technology, Trade & Services

Numerous startups and medium-sized companies are developing, processing, and distributing products related to cannabis and hemp. Companies producing packaging, compostable materials, paper, textiles, or other hemp-based raw materials are driving innovation and supporting sustainable production practices that protect our environment.

In addition, service providers specializing in logistics, media, consulting, and education have emerged in the cannabis sector. This includes manufacturers of cultivation, lighting, irrigation, and nutrient technology, as well as consumables and analytical equipment. German producers of medical vaporizers and inhalation devices are even global market leaders.

The BvCW represents the interests of these innovative market participants and provides visibility and networking opportunities.

We aim to:

• Support hemp-based innovation in production and materials.
• Reduce dependency on imports.
• Accelerate alternatives to fossil-based materials and products.