Cultivation Association, Lounge or Pharmacy: What Applies to Visitors?

The short answer

In Germany, cultivation associations, lounges and pharmacies are three different things with different rules. Visitors cannot join a cultivation association, lounges do not sell cannabis, and medical cannabis from a pharmacy needs a valid prescription.

Cultivation associations

• Non-profit clubs that supply registered members. They are often called cannabis social clubs.
• Membership requires residence or habitual residence in Germany for at least six months, and members can belong to only one association.
• Supply is capped at 25 grams per day and 50 grams per month per member.
• As a tourist you cannot obtain anything there. Each association decides itself whom to admit.

Lounges

• Venues with their own house rules where you can spend time and consume what you bring, where the venue allows it.
• No cannabis is sold in lounges.
• You do not need a Zazapass for lounges in Germany. Each venue decides on admission and may refuse a visitor.
• Depending on the venue you must be 18+ or 21+. Bring valid photo ID.

Current listings are on the lounges page. More in Cannabis lounges in Germany: what they are and what they are not.

Pharmacies and medical cannabis

• Medical cannabis is dispensed on a valid prescription. It is not an alternative for recreational use and is separate from visiting a lounge.
• Whether treatment is an option for you is decided case by case by a doctor. A prescription is not guaranteed.
• One option for a prescription request is zazaxpress.com. Medical patients can request a prescription on zazaxpress.com and use the code ZAZA to save 50% on the platform fee.

Which one applies to you?

• You live in Germany and want a club membership: look at cultivation associations in your area.
• You are a visitor and want a place to spend time: look at lounges.
• You have a medical need: ask for medical treatment through a doctor or a platform such as zazaxpress.com.

FAQ: What applies to visitors

Can tourists join a cultivation association?

No. Membership requires residence in Germany.

Can I buy cannabis in a lounge?

No.

Is a pharmacy the way to get cannabis for recreational use?

No. Pharmacies dispense medical cannabis on a valid prescription.

Is the street an option?

No. Buying on the street remains illegal, and the quality is unknown.

*Applies only with a valid prescription. A prescription is not guaranteed: it can only be issued after medical treatment and once all criteria are met. Processing time, availability, delivery times and pickup depend on location and pharmacy.