Cannabis Social Club Dortmund e. V. has made history in the Ruhr metropolis: as early as mid-May, the club began the first controlled and legal passing on of collectively grown cannabis to its members. This significant step is not only a milestone for the club, it also sends a clear signal of change in Dortmund in view of the new cannabis legislation in Germany.
Dominik De Marco, Chair of Cannabis Social Club Dortmund e. V., emphasises the significance of this historic moment: “With this step, we as a club are making history. As the first officially licensed cultivation association in Dortmund, our central responsibility is to pass on cannabis legally and under strict conditions to adult members. We see ourselves as pioneers of a responsible cannabis policy that firmly tackles the black market and consistently puts the protection of young people and consumers first.”
Passing on is strictly regulated: members may receive up to 50 grams of cannabis a month and no more than 25 grams a day from the club. These are the maximum amounts set by law; stricter limits apply to members under 21.
An important part of the club’s work is lab testing, which the law requires. The club has its cannabis tested comprehensively in independent, certified laboratories. Every batch is examined in the laboratory, including for heavy metals, microbial contamination and mould toxins. The club publishes the results on its website.
“These transparent and strict lab checks are a fundamental difference from the illegal black market, which cannot and will not offer any guarantee of purity or safety,” De Marco stresses. “Our members can rely on their cannabis having been tested in a laboratory. These careful analyses underline our commitment to the health and well-being of our members.”
Because of the large number of applications for membership, admissions were temporarily suspended. However, the club is admitting new members in June. Anyone interested can contact the club directly.
“We are pleased about the enormous interest in our club and our work,” says De Marco. “However, in order to do justice to every member and to meet the quality and safety requirements that the legislator imposes on us, extensive construction work and the final implementation of our security infrastructure are necessary. We expect to be able to expand our cultivation area by October and then admit new members as well.”
A core concern of Cannabis Social Club Dortmund e. V. is and remains comprehensive prevention work. The club has developed a detailed prevention and youth protection plan that goes far beyond the minimum legal requirements.
“Legalisation is not a free pass, but an opportunity to make the handling of cannabis safer and more transparent,” explains De Marco, who, as a local politician, pays particular attention to social responsibility. “Our two prevention officers are in close contact with addiction counselling services and regularly attend training. Our aim is to inform people about how cannabis works, its risks and responsible use. The protection of children and young people has top priority: cannabis is and remains, without exception, a substance for adults.”