Good two years after the launch of the Cannabis Act, a clear pattern has emerged. Permission to establish a cultivation association is not automatic in Germany, and it is handled very differently across the 16 federal states. Anyone wanting to found a Cannabis Social Club in Lower Saxony has significantly better chances than an association in Bavaria or the Saarland. This article contextualizes the current figures and explains the reasons behind the major regional differences.
📑 Inhaltsverzeichnis
- How many CSC licenses are there in Germany?
- State-by-state comparison: Where most cultivation associations are approved
- Why Lower Saxony leads and Bavaria holds back
- What requirements a CSC license demands
- From application to approval: the administrative process
- What the figures mean for consumers and founders
- Outlook: Where the CSC landscape is heading
- Frequently asked questions
- 💬 Fragen? Frag den Hanf-Buddy!
How many CSC licenses are there in Germany?
Applications for cultivation licenses have been possible since July 1, 2024, three months after partial legalization took effect. By early May 2026, around 866 applications had been submitted to the relevant authorities nationwide. Of these, approximately 430 had been approved at that time. The remaining proceedings are distributed among ongoing reviews, rejections, and withdrawn applications.
The number of approvals tells only half the story. Around 113 applications were withdrawn by the applicants themselves, often due to lack of suitable premises or failed financing. Approximately 77 applications were formally rejected, and in five cases, a previously granted permit was later revoked. A gap between submitted and approved applications therefore does not automatically indicate a rejection. Our overview of cannabis clubs in April 2026 shows how the situation shifts month by month.
State-by-state comparison: Where most cultivation associations are approved
The following overview summarizes applications and approval figures by federal state. It is based on ongoing surveys by the Federal Association of Cannabis Cultivation Associations, which rely on monthly inquiries to the licensing authorities. Most figures are current as of early May 2026.
| Federal State | Applications | Approved |
|---|---|---|
| North Rhine-Westphalia | 233 | 125 |
| Lower Saxony | 139 | 91 |
| Baden-Württemberg | 114 | 35 |
| Rhineland-Palatinate | 50 | 29 |
| Bavaria | 45 | 9 |
| Berlin | 42 | 12 |
| Brandenburg | 40 | 22 |
| Hesse | 37 | 19 |
| Saxony | 35 | 25 |
| Schleswig-Holstein | 28 | 12 |
| Hamburg | 28 | 17 |
| Saxony-Anhalt | 26 | 16 |
| Thuringia | 19 | 7 |
| Mecklenburg-Vorpommern | 14 | 6 |
| Bremen | 8 | 4 |
| Saarland | 8 | 1 |
North Rhine-Westphalia leads in absolute numbers, which is hardly surprising given its large population. A more meaningful view comes from looking at density per capita. Here, Lower Saxony is clearly ahead with around 1.06 approved cultivation associations per 100,000 residents. It is followed by Hamburg with 0.91 and Brandenburg with 0.82. At the other end of the scale is Bavaria with only 0.07 associations per 100,000 residents.
Approval rates also vary significantly. In Saxony, the majority of applications were approved, while in Baden-Württemberg only about one in three were. The Saarland is at the bottom, with only a single permit to date. This spread makes clear that there is no uniform pace across the country. Our retrospective on two years of the Cannabis Act provides a deeper look at the data.
Why Lower Saxony leads and Bavaria holds back
The differences are no accident but the result of political attitudes and administrative structures. Lower Saxony established clear responsibilities early on and organized the application process pragmatically. This significantly lowered the barriers for committed associations. Hamburg and Brandenburg also pursued expedited procedures and transparent requirements.
Bavaria pursues the opposite course. The state government politically opposes partial legalization and pushes for repeal of the law. In practice, this translates into a restrictive interpretation and additional review steps. Of the nine approved Bavarian clubs, three later ceased operations. Saarland and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern also show a reserved picture.
Another factor is the administrative landscape itself. In some places, responsibility lies with agricultural chambers; elsewhere with state offices for health, environment, or consumer protection. Where an authority is familiar with cultivation and plants, reviews often proceed more routinely. Where a traditional regulatory authority is responsible, there is often a lack of technical expertise in this emerging field.
What requirements a CSC license demands
Regardless of federal state, the same statutory minimum requirements apply nationwide. A cultivation association must be organized as a registered association or cooperative. All members must be of legal age and have had their residence or habitual abode in Germany for at least six months. Trial membership or single-day membership is excluded.
The bylaws must provide for a minimum membership period of three months. This rule is intended to prevent associations from being used as covert sales outlets. Additionally, a cultivation area or club premises must maintain a minimum distance of 200 meters from schools, children’s and youth facilities, and playgrounds. This distance requirement in particular often leads to lengthy site searches in densely built cities.
There are also requirements for security and documentation. Associations must submit a concept for theft prevention, quantity control, and addiction prevention. Health and youth protection officers must also be named. Our article on occupational safety and quality in the Cannabis Social Club explores the practical implications for club operations.
From application to approval: the administrative process
The path to a license begins with selecting the correct authority. Since each federal state regulates its own jurisdiction, it is worth checking the respective state regulation. If an association submits an application to the wrong office, the process is significantly delayed. For associations spanning multiple states, the authority of the state where the larger portion of the cultivation area is located is responsible.
Upon receipt, the authority reviews the bylaws, site documents, and security concepts. Frequently, follow-up questions and site inspections occur before a decision is made. Processing times therefore vary from a few weeks to many months. An approved permit is initially valid for seven years and can be extended. Our earlier report on the first Cannabis Social Club to receive a cultivation license provides an overview of the initial licensing process.
Anyone planning a founding should therefore account for regional practices early on. In countries with high approval rates, the effort is manageable; in restrictive regions, it takes patience and a particularly thorough application package. Our article on regional pilot projects explains how all this fits into the second pillar of legalization.
What the figures mean for consumers and founders
An approved license does not mean cannabis immediately flows. Between approval and the first harvest lie many weeks during which spaces are prepared and plants are cultivated. Many newly licensed associations therefore take on new members gradually. For consumers, this means continued waiting lists and limited distribution amounts in many regions.
There is also the statutory upper limit of 500 members per association. In populous cities, the supply therefore falls far short of meeting all interested parties. In federal states with few approvals, the gap is particularly large. Those seeking a place must often contact several associations or hope for new foundings. Our experience report on twelve months of CSC founding from the inside describes how an association experiences this startup phase.
For founders, regional approval practices are a central planning factor. In states with high approval rates, starting often pays off quickly because authorities are experienced and requirements are clearly communicated. In restrictive states, early contact with a state association or legal advice is recommended. A complete application package saves the most time here.
Outlook: Where the CSC landscape is heading
The number of cultivation associations continues to grow, albeit at different rates. Industry associations expect that well over 500 associations could be active by the end of 2026. The focus will likely concentrate even more in already open states. The regional gap between north and south is unlikely to narrow in the near term.
Politically, much remains in flux. A possible revision of the Cannabis Act could change the rules and bring both easing and new requirements. The question of whether and when municipal pilot projects with licensed specialist shops will launch also affects the role of associations. So far, only one thing is clear: cultivation associations remain the main pillar of legal self-supply.
For the coming months, it is therefore worth paying close attention to monthly statistics from state authorities. They most reliably show in which regions the bottleneck is easing and where it persists. Those planning a founding or membership should follow this development carefully.
Frequently asked questions
How many Cannabis Social Clubs are approved in Germany?
By early May 2026, around 430 cultivation associations were approved nationwide. In total, approximately 866 applications were submitted. The number continues to grow as new proceedings are decided.
Which federal state has the most CSC licenses?
In absolute numbers, North Rhine-Westphalia leads with around 125 approvals. Measured by population, however, Lower Saxony is ahead, followed by Hamburg and Brandenburg. Bavaria is last among larger states both in absolute and per capita terms.
Why does Bavaria approve so few cultivation associations?
The Bavarian state government politically opposes partial legalization and interprets the law particularly restrictively. Additional review steps and a reserved administrative practice result in very few approvals. Of the nine granted permits, three were later discontinued.
How long does the approval process for a CSC license take?
There is no standard duration as each federal state has its own procedures. In practice, the range spans from a few weeks to several months. Complete documentation and the right location significantly speed up the process.
What requirements must a Cannabis Social Club meet?
Sollten CSC-Lizenzen in ganz Deutschland einheitlich vergeben werden?
The association must have adult members with at least six months‘ residence in Germany and must anchor a minimum three-month membership period in its bylaws. There is also a minimum distance of 200 meters from schools and playgrounds. Concepts for security, youth protection, and addiction prevention are mandatory.
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