Cannabis Social Clubs in Lower Saxony — An Overview

The Cannabis Act (KCanG) has been in effect since April 2024, but implementation varies in speed across German states. Lower Saxony is among those where approval processes run comparatively smoothly — though challenges remain.

As of April 2026, several cultivation associations are licensed in Lower Saxony, including BlattWerk e.V. in Hildesheim. Additional clubs in Hannover, Braunschweig, Oldenburg and Göttingen are at various stages of the approval process.

The hurdles are similar everywhere: finding suitable premises, presenting a convincing addiction prevention concept, securing funding and having the patience for an approval process that can take several months. In Lower Saxony, the State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (LAVES) is the responsible authority.

What makes Hildesheim special: As a mid-sized city with around 100,000 inhabitants, Hildesheim shows that Cannabis Social Clubs don't only work in major cities. Proximity to the community, shorter distances and an engaged local network are real advantages.

For anyone wanting to found a CSC in Lower Saxony, we've compiled a detailed practical guide on our [Start a CSC](/csc-gruendung) page — with cost breakdown, timeline and our own experiences.

The development of Cannabis Social Clubs in Lower Saxony is still in its early stages. We're convinced: the more associations work transparently, professionally and in compliance with the law, the more acceptance will grow in society.

If you have questions about founding a club or want to exchange ideas with us, you can reach us anytime via our [contact form](/kontakt).