There are two ways to start your own grow: buying cannabis seeds, or buying cuttings. But while it’s legal to buy and import cannabis seeds from Germany, a court in Cologne recently ruled that selling and buying cuttings however is not. In this article we delve into the recent ruling.
Cannabis cuttings are not allowed in Germany
The news came recently on the 18th of November, when the Verwaltungsgerichts Köln (the Administrative Court of Cologne) put out a press release titled 'Cologne Administrative Court: Urgent application against the ban on trading in young cannabis plants unsuccessful’.
The court ruled that the commercial sale of planted cannabis young plants remains prohibited. A retailer in Cologne had offered these plants, marketed as “Stecklinge” (cuttings in German) through a physical store and an online shop.
The City of Cologne prohibited this activity, stating that under the Cannabis Consumption Act only cultivation associations may distribute cuttings..
The retailer argued that the plants ‘constituted permissible propagation material’, but the court dismissed this position.
Legal assessment of the trade ban
The court held that once a cutting is planted, it is legally considered a cannabis plant under cultivation. As such, it falls under the statutory ban on commercial cannabis trade.
This classification applies even if the young plant does not yet display that it has reached the flowering stage.
The German cannabis law only legalizes limited, non-commercial home cultivation and does not provide a basis for commercial distribution of cannabis young plants, rules the court.
Next steps in the legal process
The parties may file an appeal with the Higher Administrative Court of North Rhine-Westphalia in Münster, which could review whether the lower court’s decision should be upheld.
It is not expected that this will have any success. If they do, we will update this blog and let you know.
Cannabis seeds are legal in Germany
Meanwhile several (Dutch) cannabis seed banks have had their seed stock taken by the authorities, but also given back.
Recently, on September 10 2025, the Public Prosecutor's Office in Krefeld ruled that the seized seeds of an online seed bank must be returned. Five days later, the Krefeld Customs Office confirmed this decision.
This sent an important legal signal: the Cannabis Act (Cannabisgesetz, KCanG), which has been in effect since April 2024, includes the legal status of cannabis seeds for private cultivation.
The law allows adults to purchase cannabis seeds from other EU member states and use them for personal cultivation, with a maximum of three plants per person.
What else is in the German cannabis law?
The Cannabisgesetz (CanG) law allows possession of cannabis up to 30 grams and home cultivation of up to 50 grams.
Possession of a quantity between 25 and 30 grams is considered a misdemeanor. The offense only becomes punishable for quantities exceeding 30 grams. Previously, the offense limit was already 25 grams.
It is prohibited to consume cannabis within sight (100 meters) of childcare centers, schools, and other youth institutions.
Home cultivation of only three cannabis at once is permitted. Growing more than 50 grams will still be punishable. Whatever is remaining after harvesting more than 50 grams must therefore be destroyed.
The plants must also be kept out of the sight of children.
It is also possible to join a cannabis cultivation association. You do not have to choose however. You are allowed to join an association and grow your own cannabis.
Also about cannabis driving are strict laws. But it has got slightly better since August 2024. It went from an effective zero-tolerance standard to a strict, numerical limit of 3.5 ng/ml of THC in blood serum. Drivers must ensure they adhere to this limit to avoid severe fines and the loss of their driving privileges.
Growshops are not allowed to sell you cannabis seeds
Despite all this, ordinary commercial retail stores, such as growshops, are strictly prohibited from selling cannabis seeds to the general public. This restriction stems from the law's focus on non-commercial, private cultivation.
The Gesetz zum Umgang mit Konsumcannabis (Konsumcannabisgesetz - KCanG) law aims to prevent the establishment of a commercial supply chain. Therefore, while adults are legally permitted to cultivate up to three plants for personal use, the law only allows two specific channels for obtaining seeds: private, direct import from other EU member states or obtaining them through non-profit Anbauvereinigungen (cultivation associations).
Any commercial sale outside of these tightly regulated channels is generally viewed as facilitating unauthorized cultivation, which remains illegal.
Buying cannabis seeds in Germany
In other words: you’ve come to the right place to buy cannabis seeds and start your own grow.
Whether it’s autoflowering seeds, feminized seeds or regular seeds: we’ve got you covered. Make sure to also check out our special offers and Suzy's Aficionado Collection.
All orders are shipped daily and come in discrete and reusable packaging. We provide warranty on the germination and genetics.
