[Effects of the cannabis act on supply channels, attitudes, and perceptions of users]

With the Cannabis Act (CanG), the German government aimed to improve health protection and to curb the illegal cannabis market. A partial success of the CanG would be evident in the shift from illegal to legal supply channels. The following questions were central: How did sources of cannabis supply change overall and across different groups due to the Cannabis Act? Which groups subjectively benefit the most from the Cannabis Act?

To address these research questions, a non-representative, quantitative online survey was conducted from 24 March 2025 to 10 June 2025 among cannabis users aged 14 and older. Participants were asked about their sources of supply before and after the Cannabis Act took effect as well as the subjectively perceived effects. The sample included N = 11,471 participants.

Since the CanG came into effect, a shift from illegally to legally produced cannabis has been observed among adults overall, particularly among men and people in rural areas, as home cultivation and pharmacy purchases have increased significantly. In contrast, little change was observed among adolescents. Participants reported predominantly positive subjective effects of the law. Gender and regional differences showed that men and residents of major cities-particularly Berlin and Hamburg-more frequently perceived positive subjective effects.

The results suggest that certain subgroups face barriers in accessing the legal market, including adolescents, women, and the urban population. For these groups, targeted measures aimed at reducing such barriers could contribute to further curbing illegal sources of supply.