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IMK rejects total ban: Hessian proposal for stricter cannabis restrictions significantly watered down

2026-06-19 | At the 225th Conference of Interior Ministers (IMK) in Hamburg, a proposal by Hessian Interior Minister Roman Poseck (CDU) to substantially roll back Germany’s cannabis partial legalization failed in key aspects, according to LTO. Poseck’s far-reaching motion called for a general ban on public cannabis consumption and a nationwide approval freeze for cultivation associations, arguing that the current legal framework fuels the illicit market and hampers police work. However, Hessia was unable to secure support for these demands, as SPD-led states significantly softened the proposal, LTO reports.

Instead, a considerably reduced version was adopted. The IMK now calls on the federal government to swiftly address restrictions on criminal investigative tools associated with the German Cannabis Act (KCanG), including telecommunications surveillance, in order to ensure effective law enforcement. In addition, the Federal Ministry of the Interior is asked to examine whether the permitted public possession limit, currently 25 grams, should be reduced.

The Hessian initiative faced strong criticism from opposition parties and civil society groups prior to the conference. The Left Party described the proposal as “anti-scientific,” arguing that it ignored existing evaluation findings. Volt Hessen likewise accused Poseck of populism and misinformation, pointing to recent reports by the EKOCAN research consortium that found no sharp increase in cannabis consumption while indicating a partial displacement of illicit market activity. According to Volt, freezing approvals for cultivation associations would only strengthen illegal dealers.