Society & rights

Cannabis legalisation: where do Germany’s seven parties stand?

The statement in the quiz

Cannabis use should stay legal for adults.

Background

Since April 2024, adults may carry up to 25 grams, keep up to 50 grams at home and grow three plants. The evaluation required by the law is still under way.

Sources for the background: Federal Ministry of Health: Cannabis Act FAQ

At a glance

CDU/CSUAgainst
AfDAgainst
SPDFor
GreensFor
Die LinkeFor
BSWNot in manifesto
FDPFor

ForLeaning forNeutral / mixedLeaning againstAgainstNot in manifesto

Party by party

CDU/CSU Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU)

Against

Wants to reverse cannabis legalisation.

From the manifesto „Die Legalisierung dieser Droge nehmen wir deshalb zurück.“

Source: CDU/CSU manifesto for the 2025 federal election, PDF page 39

Since the election: The Cannabis Act is still in force under the new government (as of September 2026).

AfD Alternative for Germany

Against

Calls legalising cannabis a mistake that must be corrected at once.

From the manifesto „Die Freigabe des Cannabiskonsums außerhalb bestimmter medizinischer Indikationen halten wir für einen Fehler, der umgehend korrigiert werden muss.“

Source: AfD manifesto for the 2025 federal election, PDF page 32

SPD Social Democratic Party

For

Wants to keep moving towards legal sales that comply with EU law.

From the manifesto „die notwendigen Schritte einleiten, um eine europarechtskonforme Legalisierung zu ermöglichen“

Source: SPD manifesto for the 2025 federal election, PDF page 46

Greens Alliance 90/The Greens

For

Wants to keep the Cannabis Act and keep working towards licensed specialist shops.

From the manifesto „An dem Ziel des Verkaufs von Cannabis in lizenzierten Fachgeschäften halten wir weiter fest“

Source: Greens manifesto for the 2025 federal election, PDF page 96

Die Linke The Left (Die Linke)

For

Wants full legalisation.

From the manifesto „Wir wollen eine vollständige Legalisierung von Cannabis“

Source: Die Linke manifesto for the 2025 federal election, PDF page 20

BSW BSW (Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance)

Not in manifesto

The manifesto does not mention cannabis.

Source: BSW manifesto for the 2025 federal election

FDP Free Democratic Party

For

Wants to keep cannabis legal.

From the manifesto „Wir halten deshalb an der Cannabis-Legalisierung fest.“

Source: FDP manifesto for the 2025 federal election, PDF page 34

Positions are coded on five steps: for, leaning for, neutral or mixed, leaning against, against. A party whose manifesto says nothing on the statement is marked “not in manifesto”, and the quiz leaves the statement out of that party’s score. The coding method and its checks are on the method page.

Where do you stand on this one?

This is one of the statements in the German Party Spectrum Quiz. The whole quiz takes about five minutes and shows how your views split across the seven parties, plus your place on an economic and social map. No sign-up, and we never ask who you are.

Start the quiz