Last year, German authorities seized a record amount of cannabis. Customs alone confiscated more than 50 tonnes, according to the FAZ. In 2024, police and customs together seized roughly 24 tonnes, while nationwide police figures for 2025 are still pending.
Security officials see the sharp rise in seizures as evidence that partial legalization has actually enlarged the black market. However, FAZ investigations suggest the opposite: the main reason for the increase in customs seizures is altered smuggling routes.
Scientific studies find that cannabis consumption has not risen dramatically since partial legalization. What has grown noticeably is the import of medical cannabis, which can now be purchased through German pharmacies. Jakob Manthey of the Interdisciplinary Addiction Research Center at the University Hospital Hamburg‑Eppendorf said, “I expect that since partial legalization the overall demand for illegal cannabis has fallen”.