Cannabis Social Club Dortmund e. V. turned three on 5 September 2026. Since it was founded, the club has admitted 291 people. The club does not currently charge an admission fee. To mark the anniversary, Dortmund’s first cultivation association is publishing figures on cultivation, passing on and prevention. On average, the club passes on less than a third of the permitted maximum amount per member.
From newly founded club to first cultivation association
The club was founded on 5 September 2023, before the Consumer Cannabis Act (KCanG) came into force. In November 2024, it became the first cultivation association in Dortmund to receive a licence from the Arnsberg District Government. The first harvest followed in April 2025, and cannabis was first passed on to members in May.
Cultivation and passing on in figures
Since then, the club has produced 57.2 kilograms of flowers and 1.3 kilograms of hashish from 1,366 plants in 76 harvests. To date, it has passed on 51.4 kilograms to its members, spread across 3,522 individual handovers. Cannabis is always passed on in person, after the membership card and an official photo ID have been checked, and within the maximum amounts set by law, and every instance is documented.
Not a single lab sample failed
The club has had every batch tested by an independent laboratory before passing it on, so far 89 batches in 98 analyses. The tests covered the content of active substances and, using pooled samples from several harvests, heavy metals, microbial contamination and mould toxins. Not a single sample has failed. “The law requires these checks, and we take them seriously. Anyone who is a member here should know what is in their cannabis, and you can only prove that with lab results, not with promises,” says Dominik De Marco, Chair of the club.
Well below the maximum amount
In August 2026, the club passed on just under 15 grams per member on average, less than a third of the 50 grams permitted by law. In May 2025, the figure was just over 19 grams. The decrease is mainly because not every member collects something every month. Those who do collect receive about as much on average as at the start. These figures do not show whether consumption is changing. The club’s survey is looking into that. “Anyone who can get cannabis legally and under controlled conditions does not need to stock up, and also receives information about the risks every time cannabis is passed on. That was exactly the idea behind the law,” says De Marco.
Hardly any contact with the black market
In a survey among members, just under 96 per cent said they obtain their cannabis mainly through the club. According to their own statements, 95 per cent no longer have any contact with the black market. “The black market does not ask for ID and has no lab analyses. Every person who switches from there to us is a gain for health protection and youth protection,” says De Marco.
Who the members are
Members are 45 years old on average, and a little over one in five is older than 55. Only three per cent are younger than 25. Just under four in five members live in Dortmund. “The image of the young stoner does not fit our members. We have people from all age groups who have made a conscious decision to take a legal route,” says De Marco.
Prevention as a focus
Two prevention officers are available to members, anonymously too. On its website, the club provides factual information on effects, risks and sources of help, an anonymous self-test and online prevention training. Anyone who passes the final test receives a certificate of participation. The offer is voluntary and open to everyone, not just members. “For us, prevention does not mean a wagging finger, it means sound knowledge. That is why we share it with everyone who wants to find out more,” says De Marco.
Politically, the club campaigns for a health-oriented, evidence-based drug policy. With a view to the evaluation of the KCanG, it is in favour of developing the legal framework further rather than rolling it back.
All figures as of 24 September 2026.
About Cannabis Social Club Dortmund e. V.
Cannabis Social Club Dortmund e. V. is a cultivation association under the KCanG. It grows cannabis collectively and on a non-commercial basis for the own use of its adult members and passes it on exclusively to them. Founded in 2023, the club became the first in Dortmund to receive a licence from the Arnsberg District Government in November 2024 and has since admitted almost 300 people. Two prevention officers are responsible for youth and health protection. Politically, the club campaigns for a health-oriented, evidence-based drug policy.