Demonstrators advocate for "hemp as an alternative to hatred"
Berlin, the vibrant capital city of Germany, witnessed the annual Berlin Hemp Parade on a sunny midday in Berlin-Mitte. The event, held under the motto "For a future without repression," saw hundreds of participants gather to demonstrate for comprehensive legalization of cannabis.
At the heart of the parade was Berlin's governing mayor, Kai Wegner (CDU), whose office was situated at the starting point of the final rally, next to the iconic Red City Hall.
The parade marched along the boulevard Unter den Linden towards the government district, including the Bundestag and the Chancellery, before returning to the starting point for the final rally.
During the parade, some cannabis users took the opportunity to smoke a joint, while others carried banners with slogans like "Hash instead of hate" and "Yes we smoke." The Pirate Party even handed out packets of cannabis seeds at the event.
Several information stands at the parade provided visions for drug policy by cultivation associations and scene organizations. The German Hemp Association was among them, criticizing the current law for not being suitable for all consumers and the continued existence of the black market for cannabis. They advocated for cannabis to be available for adults to purchase in specialized shops at reasonable prices.
The current regulations, introduced in early April 2024, only allow partial legalization of cannabis cultivation and possession for adults under certain rules. Adults over 18 can possess up to 25 grams in public, 50 grams at home, and grow three plants per person. However, many cannabis users criticize the limitations on legal access, particularly the absence of retail sales and the restriction that only long-term residents (six months or more) can join non-profit "cannabis clubs" to legally obtain cannabis.
The organizers of the Berlin Hemp Parade argue that cannabis consumption is less risky than that of legal drugs like alcohol. They also push for legal retail sales or dispensaries, easing membership restrictions for cannabis clubs, clear, fair public consumption rules, and addressing the black market.
No incidents were reported until late afternoon during the parade. The Berlin police reported a similar number of participants in the parade compared to previous years.
The broader German context shows challenges with the strictly controlled model leading to a growing black market and rising addiction cases. The government is reviewing cannabis policy as of mid-2025, suggesting that users' demands for expanded access and smarter regulation in Berlin fit into ongoing national debates on reforming cannabis laws.
Science and health-and-wellness professionals advocate for a greater focus on mental-health benefits and lifestyle improvements associated with cannabis, aligning with the movement for comprehensive legalization demonstrated during the Berlin Hemp Parade. The German Hemp Association, a prominent scene organization, called for Cannabis to be available for adults in specialized shops at reasonable prices, highlighting the current law's inadequacies and the continued existence of the black market.
