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Our co-founder and Managing Director Jürgen Neumeyer passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, while visiting family in his homeland. At the age of 56, he left behind an extensive life’s work. He was able to achieve his greatest political goal in life, the decriminalization of cannabis, during his lifetime.
For decades, Jürgen had dedicated a large part of his life to the vision that cannabis users in Germany should no longer be criminalized. In various roles in politics and business, he never lost sight of this goal and was able to celebrate an important milestone victory on April 1, 2024. The Cannabis Act would look very different today without Jürgen’s tireless work. But not all of his goals have been achieved yet – be it improvements in the area of industrial hemp or the creation of a legal market for recreational cannabis.
His career in drug policy began back in the 1990s with the German Young Socialists Association, followed by a career as a staff member for various members of the German Bundestag, publicist and networker. As the founding managing director of “Netzwerk Berlin”, he campaigned for the legalization of cannabis, among other things, and published several books on the subject. In addition to his editorial work for the magazine “Berliner Republik”, he was also active in its management. Moreover, he was co-founder of the think tank “Das Progressive Zentrum e.V.”, as well as the non-partisan association “Wahlkreis e.V.”, which was firmly anchored in Berlin’s government district with a political pub of the same name. His passion for cannabis politics led him to become head of political communication at the German Hemp Association (DHV) for several years. Jürgen recognized early on that there was a need for independent representation of interests. He was the driving force behind the founding of an association for the German cannabis industry and was Managing Director of the German Cannabis Business Association (BvCW) and CS Cannabis Service GmbH from 2019 until his death.
Our association, which represents all sectors of the industry (industrial hemp, medicinal cannabis & stimulants as well as technology, trade & services), grew to over 100 members within 5 years under his management, published over 40 specialist publications, many statements and press releases, organized parliamentary meetings and specialist events. As a trade association representing all sectors of the cannabis industry, we became the largest of its kind in Europe. With all our commitment, we made significant contributions to the creation of the Cannabis Act, the abolition of the narcotic status and the urgently awaited abolition of the intoxication clause with the Industrial Hemp Liberalization Act.
Jürgen Neumeyer had set himself and the association many other tasks, such as the development of the cannabis industry directory, which was still in its infancy, and the cannabis specialist publisher, from a cannabis roadshow to the long-term goal of a “House of the Cannabis Industry” in Berlin. The focus was always on current political goals, such as the model projects for cannabis (“Pillar 2”) in particular, but also many other projects such as hemp as a building material and the promotion of renewable raw materials.
With his death, we not only lose a talented managing director, friend and networker, but also an empathetic and authentic fellow human being who knew how to lighten up any professional or private conversation with his cheerful manner. He was also notorious for his extensive knowledge of the art of winemaking and beer brewing, as well as his passion as a DJ. He was greatly respected and appreciated by all for his unique style.
We will always remember him with gratitude and strive to continue our work in his spirit. If you have any questions about the funeral, please contact our office.
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