Who we are
Cannabis Social Club Dortmund e. V. is an association of adults who grow cannabis together, exclusively for the members’ own use. We do not work for profit (§ 1 no. 13 KCanG).
Our members are 45 years old on average. A little over one in five is older than 55, and only 3 per cent are younger than 25. Just under four in five live in Dortmund. (As of September 2026)
The club is represented by an elected board. Two prevention officers are responsible for prevention and youth protection. They give confidential advice, anonymously if you wish.
The club at a glance
- Founded: on 5 September 2023, before the Consumer Cannabis Act (KCanG) came into force. Entered in the register of associations at Dortmund Local Court (VR 7945).
- Licence: On 25 November 2024, the Arnsberg District Government granted us a licence as the first association in Dortmund (§ 11 KCanG). It is valid until 31 December 2031 and can be extended (§ 14 KCanG).
- Cultivation association: since 1 January 2025. Since then, we have been growing on 360 m². The first harvest was in April 2025, and cannabis was first passed on to members in May 2025.
- Lab: Our cannabis is tested regularly by an independent laboratory. All results are listed under Lab resultsDE.
We publish figures on admissions, passing on and lab testing in our announcements under News.
How we work
Cultivation is a joint effort, by members for members. We only pass on cannabis to members: in person, within the maximum amounts set by law and after checking their membership card and photo ID. There is no shop, no sale and no delivery.
Our fees are set in the statutes and fee regulations. We use the money for cultivation, lab testing, prevention and administration. The Costs page explains what this means for you.
- Prevention: A knowledge section, an anonymous self-test and training, open to everyone. More under Prevention.
- Youth protection: Minors are not allowed on our premises. The Youth protection page explains what we do to ensure this.
- Community: Our code of conduct sets out how we treat one another.
Our legal obligations
- Licence and supervision: We may only grow and pass on cannabis with a licence under § 11 KCanG. The Arnsberg District Government checks that we comply with the requirements.
- Youth and health protection: We have a health and youth protection plan and appoint prevention officers (§ 23 KCanG).
- Records: We document what the law requires (§ 26 KCanG). The annual report for evaluating the law contains no names.
- No advertising: Advertising for cannabis and for cultivation associations is prohibited (§ 6 KCanG). That is why we provide factual information here.
What we stand for
We campaign for a health-oriented, evidence-based drug policy. With a view to the evaluation of the KCanG, we are in favour of developing the legal framework further rather than rolling it back.