Research with Recreational Cannabis in Germany - Which Agency is Responsible?

In December 2024, the German Bundesgesetzblatt (Federal Law Gazette) published the Regulation determining the competent authority for issuing licenses and monitoring the handling of cannabis for scientific purposes in accordance with the German Konsumcannabisgesetz (Consumer Cannabis Act). As a result, the Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte (German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, BfArM) is no longer in charge of processing research applications for recreational cannabis and industrial hemp; this responsibility now lies with the Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung (German Federal Office for Agriculture and Food, BLE).

In accordance with the regulation, the BLE will review the relevant research applications and monitor the authorized projects. Previously, this task was the responsibility of the BfArM, who will remain the competent authority for research with medicinal cannabis. Research on and with recreational cannabis is therefore possible, but requires a license. Applicants must meet the criteria set out in the Consumer Cannabis Act, demonstrate the required expertise and provide evidence of their scientific interest. Universities as well as private companies may submit research applications. The research aims to reduce the illicit market, improve public health and bring more facts to the cannabis debate.

Further information can be found in the Regulation on the determination of the competent authority for the licensing and supervision of the handling of cannabis for scientific purposes under the Consumer Cannabis Act (Konsumcannabis-Wissenschafts-Zuständigkeitsverordnung - KCanWissZustV).