The coming partial legalization of cannabis is known to be a controversial topic on which different representatives of the various police authorities regularly speak out. Mostly with a raised forefinger, they repeat their warnings about cannabis and the dangers of a release in the media.

As the government has stipulated in its final draft law, adult members of strictly regulated cultivation associations, the so-called cannabis social clubs, are to be allowed to organize the communal cultivation of the dangerous herb and subsequently use the harvest to supply the growers involved.

Now, police officers are usually of legal age anyway, and by virtue of their profession already have a certain penchant for the communal organization of special operations. And the fair distribution of seized evidence is also said to have been rehearsed here and there. So a police cannabis cultivation cooperative would be an obvious idea.

The collective cultivation as a team-building measure strengthens the feeling of togetherness, the subsequent processing and tasting of the harvest promotes expertise.And - last but not least - the officers would escape the constant conflict of conscience of having to buy their own supplies on the street from the very people they are supposed to convict and prosecute. Such a police cultivation association could then even use the grow equipment confiscated in recent years as original equipment. The idea has a certain charm.

A call to MoJamba now feeds exactly this suspicion of a particularly green thumb at the police. The request of a special kind gave the impression that the police might be preparing for the coming changes of the so-called CanG in a completely different way than expected. This is the new law that will define the framework for the unpunished handling and cultivation of cannabis in the future.

In the early afternoon of August 22, 2023, the phone rang in the office of MoJamba. A friendly young lady answered: "Good afternoon. Is this MoJamba? My name is Ms. XY from the Brandenburg police department. It's about the `stackable dry net' in your store. Do you have it in stock?"

Puzzled, I confirmed the availability, "Yes...I have that there."
"Okay great! We need 100 pieces if possible. How many do they have in stock?" the clerk specified her request. Unfortunately, the item wasn't in stock right now in the quantity we needed, so I said, "Okay, I'd be happy to order those for you!" To which the policewoman replied, "No thanks, I'm afraid we need them right away!"

Stunned by the large demand, I searched for the right words, " Hmm, you have something bigger in mind, don't you?" "Yes, you could say that!" the policewoman giggled gleefully and said a friendly goodbye.

Is the founding of Germany's first Police Social Club imminent?
On reflection, although a very nice thought, this is probably unlikely. Because since the drying nets were absolutely immediately needed, the first harvest in the presidency would have to be already imminent. The Federal Ministry of Health writes in the questions and answers to the Cannabis Act (draft) but quite explicitly:

"Entry into force is planned for the beginning of 2024. When it comes into force, adults will be able to legally smoke a joint in Germany according to the draft law. Until then, cannabis will remain prohibited for the time being."

Especially since, unfortunately, it is rather unlikely that the Brandenburg police department, in its unbridled anticipation of legal cannabis, has itself violated the still-applicable ban and already raised the first run, the background of the call is probably based on another, rather unpleasant cause. After all, the ban on cultivation and possession will continue to be enforced with all its might until there is no other way.

Whatever the cost...