Berlin, 2026-05-29: The German Cannabis Business Association (BvCW) expressly welcomes the recent statements made by Federal Drug Commissioner Prof. Dr. Hendrik Streeck (CDU) regarding the necessity of scientifically accompanied pilot projects for regulated cannabis distribution, as reported by the RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND). From the association’s perspective, the fact that the political debate is increasingly addressing questions of practical implementation, youth protection, and potential shifts into alternative markets represents an important step toward a fact-based and evidence-driven assessment.

Several BvCW member companies have prepared professionally developed pilot projects together with renowned scientific partners on the basis of Section 2 (4) of the Cannabis Act (KCanG) and have submitted corresponding research applications to the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE). The objective of these projects is to generate reliable findings regarding consumer and youth protection, product safety, and the displacement of the illicit market.

According to the association, scientifically supervised pilot projects can make an important contribution to examining the frequently discussed areas of tension between the illicit market, medical cannabis, prevention, and controlled access channels on the basis of empirical evidence. Successful pilot projects already conducted in neighboring European countries such as Switzerland and the Netherlands demonstrate that such scientific initiatives can operate smoothly in practice and deliver valuable insights. Particularly in light of often highly polarized debates, the BvCW believes that more evidence-based knowledge is needed regarding which regulatory approaches actually work in practice and which unintended side effects may arise.

The BvCW explicitly shares the public health position that medical treatment and recreational consumption must remain clearly separated. At the same time, the current debate highlights the importance of practical, legally secure, and controlled regulatory models in order to minimize problematic diversion structures and fully achieve the original objectives of the Cannabis Act.

Regarding pilot projects, the cannabis industry is seeking legal certainty through a statutory framework similar to the “Pillar 2” approach outlined in the 2022 key issues paper of the Federal Ministry of Health.