Many students ask how much cannabis they may legally carry. The answer is in the Consumer Cannabis Act (KCanG, Konsumcannabisgesetz). This guide explains the possession limits, shows how quantities are measured and names the points that need a closer look.
Short answer: Under section 3(1) KCanG, adults may possess up to 25 grams of cannabis for personal use. At the place of residence or habitual abode, section 3(2) allows up to 50 grams in total and up to three living plants. The figures come from the statutory text. Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points at a glance
- Adults have an upper limit of 25 grams for personal use (section 3(1) KCanG).
- At home the limit is 50 grams in total and up to three living plants (section 3(2) KCanG).
- For flowers and other plant material, the weight after drying counts.
- Possession beyond the limits is not permitted, and the consequences depend on the amount and the circumstances.
- Besides the possession limits, consumption bans in certain areas can apply.
What does section 3 KCanG say?
Section 3 KCanG governs permitted possession. Subsection 1 allows adults up to 25 grams of cannabis for personal use. Subsection 2 sets the higher limits at the place of residence or habitual abode: up to 50 grams and up to three living cannabis plants. The total amount under both rules must not exceed 50 grams.
| Place | Amount of cannabis | Plants | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| General for adults | Up to 25 grams for personal use | Not specified | Section 3(1) KCanG |
| At the place of residence or habitual abode | Up to 50 grams in total | Up to three living plants | Section 3(2) KCanG |
How is the weight measured?
For flowers, leaves near the flower and other plant material, the statutory quantity refers to the weight after drying. This matters because freshly harvested material weighs considerably more than dried material. When estimating an amount, do not start from the fresh weight.
An estimate by eye is unreliable. If you want to know exactly where you stand, read the statutory text and check the rules for your individual case.
The key terms at a glance
| Term | Meaning in this context |
|---|---|
| Personal use | The possession serves your own consumption. The limits refer to this. |
| Place of residence or habitual abode | The place where you actually live. The higher limits of subsection 2 apply there. |
| Dry weight | The weight after drying. It is decisive for plant material. |
| Living plants | The upper limit of three plants applies only at the place of residence or habitual abode. |
What does this mean for students?
Students generally fall under the same rules as other adults. Whether the higher limit applies to you depends on where you actually live. What counts is the place of residence or habitual abode, not only where you are registered.
If you commute between your university town and your parents’ home, look more closely. The place where you spend most of your life is the relevant point. In case of doubt, a legal adviser can clarify the question for your specific situation.
Which additional bans apply?
Besides the possession limits, consumption bans apply in certain areas. Their scope follows from the law and from state law. Check the exact places in the respective text or with the responsible authority before you rely on a rule.
Especially in everyday student life, for example on campus or in public parks, a rule may apply that you do not expect. A quick check on site or in the law avoids unnecessary trouble.
What happens with possession above the limits?
Anyone who possesses more than permitted no longer acts within the KCanG. Whether this is a regulatory offence or a criminal offence, and which consequences follow, depends on the amount and the circumstances. There is therefore no single answer.
If proceedings are a risk, individual legal advice is the right route. General information such as this guide does not replace it.
Where do you find the statutory text?
The wording of the KCanG is on gesetze-im-internet.de. For possession, section 3 is central. Changes to the law are promulgated in the Federal Law Gazette (Bundesgesetzblatt). Press reports give an overview but do not replace the text.
Typical situations in student life
Many students live in a shared flat, a student hall or with their parents. For the higher limit, what counts is where you yourself live. The living arrangement of flatmates is not decisive. If you move between two places, check where you actually spend most of your time.
Visits to another city are a common case too. A visit does not automatically make that city your place of residence. What matters is your centre of life, meaning the place where you regularly live, work and handle everyday matters. In borderline cases, legal advice helps.
Campus life adds its own questions. Common rooms, events and public spaces often follow additional rules beyond the possession amount. If you are unsure, check the rules of your university and your city before entering a situation you do not fully understand.
Frequently asked questions
From what age does the possession limit apply?
The rules are aimed at adults. Under the law, permitted possession applies to people aged 18 and over. Separate provisions in the law cover young people.
May I give away or sell cannabis?
Permitted possession is not the same as passing cannabis on. The law regulates separately whether and how transfer is allowed. Only the statutory wording gives a reliable answer.
Does the limit also apply to medical cannabis?
No. Medical cannabis is regulated in the Medicinal Cannabis Act (MedCanG). It has its own rules, which differ from the KCanG.
What changes if the law is reformed?
The debate on the Cannabis Act is ongoing, but changes are not adopted. The current statutory text remains decisive. The status of the reform is covered in the guide Cannabis Act 2026.
Who helps with a specific case?
For specific cases, legal advice helps, and in proceedings, a defence lawyer. General information does not replace that.
What to do now
- Read section 3 KCanG in its wording before you estimate an amount.
- Check whether a figure refers to dry weight.
- Establish where your place of residence or habitual abode is.
- If you are unsure, clarify the local consumption bans with the responsible authority.
Related guides
- Health system reform: ePA, e-prescription, doctor visits and sick notes (hub, in German)
- Cannabis Act 2026: what is planned and what is settled
- Cannabis evaluation: what the results so far show (in German)
- Cannabis clubs: membership and registration (in German)
- Cannabis and driving licence: what students should know (in German)
Sources: Consumer Cannabis Act section 3 (gesetze-im-internet.de, in German)
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
