Germany has approved Cannabis For Medical Use, and Legalization for Recreation Is Next — Founder Interview
- Jörn Menninger
- Mar 15
- 8 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
This blog post first appeared first on old medium publication (https://medium.com/startuprad-io), and was moved to this blog with the relaunch of our website in summer 2024.
What Is This About?
Germany's coalition government approved cannabis for medical use and is moving toward recreational legalization — creating significant startup opportunities. This episode explores what legalization means for the emerging German cannabis industry, from cultivation and distribution to fintech and compliance.
This article is part of our coverage of Scaleup Founder Interviews from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Executive Summary
This blog post first appeared first on old medium publication (https://medium.
Germany has a coalition government in power.
This show was made possible by Hessen Trade and Invest with their brand Invest-in-Hessen.
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New Blog
In this episode of Startuprad.io, host Jörn "Joe" Menninger sits down with the founder of Germany to explore how this DACH-based startup is tackling real market challenges. From early-stage hustle to scaling strategy, this founder interview dives deep into what it takes to build a startup in the German-speaking ecosystem.
This blog post first appeared first on old medium publication (https://medium.com/startuprad-io), and was moved to this blog with the relaunch of our website in summer 2024.
Management Summary
Germany has a coalition government in power. The coalition contract of the three governing parties “Koalitionsvertrag” wants to enable the recreational use of cannabis in Germany, during this term. Jakob and Benedikt give us an update on the timeline, expected market size, and how Canasativa wants to get a big share of this market. The brothers also expect the legalization in Germany to have a domino effect in the EU kicking off a round of legalization in other countries.
We expect legalization in Germany to be just the start for legalizing cannabis for recreational use in the European Union.Benedikt Sons Co-Founder and CEO of Cansativa
Our Enablers
Invest-in-Hessen
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We are building the leading retail platform for in Germany, as well as the leading B2B marketplace in cannabis.Benedikt Sons Co-Founder and CEO of Cansativa
The Founder(s)
In this interview, we get an update from Jakob and Benedikt Sons, the founders of one of Germany’s first medical cannabis startups. In the past, we interviewed both about the newly introduced medical cannabis and how the whole market was started in Germany. Since our last interview, they showed some impressive growth and even won Snoop Dog as an investor in their 15 m US$ Series B funding round (https://sifted.eu/articles/snoop-dogg-cansativa-germany-cannabis/) Now we also talk to them about the legalization of recreational use of cannabis in Germany.
Benedikt is the Co-Founder and CEO, he has a background in consulting: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benedikt-sons-762a28103/
Jakob is the Co-Founder, Lawyer, and Managing Director: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakob-sons-795087133/
We are the exclusive partner for medical cannabis of Germany’s Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices. So we are the exclusive distributor for domestic produced medical cannabis.Benedikt Sons Co-Founder and CEO of Cansativa
Legalization of Recreational Use of Cannabis in Germany
The recreational use of Cannabis in Germany is not legal yet. The three parties forming the Scholz Government (SPD, FDP, and Green Party) agreed at the start of their coalition to a contract stating their goals and intentions. We have already talked about what this could mean for startups and VCs
The coalition contract also includes the intent to legalize the recreational use of cannabis in Germany with a new law. We are now in the first stages of this draft of the law, which should be available to lawmakers for a first discussion end of 2022. So we get an update from Jakob and Benedikt about their expectations (practical legalization towards fall or winter 2023) and potential market size (~ 4 bn € annual market up to 8 bn € annual market). The market size estimates are always a bit fuzzy since the current market is illegal (with exception of medical use) and therefore they are — well-researched — estimates by different researchers. The medical market in Germany is somewhere around 10 to 15 metric tons.
The brothers expect Germany to have a domino effect in the EU and kickstart legalization for recreational use in the whole EU with a population of around 450 million people. Canada has four years after legalization a market size of ~ 4 bn US$, with a population of not even 40 m.
Germany wants to create a system in which people — even first-time cannabis consumers — can have safe and responsible consumption.Benedikt Sons Co-Founder and CEO of Cansativa
The Startup
Cansativa (https://www.cansativa-group.de/en/) is headquartered in Frankfurt. They have an exclusive partnership with the German state (BfArM) and so they are also the exclusive distributor for the domestic production of medical cannabis in Germany.
Canada has not even half of Germany’s population and there — four years after legalizing recreational use — the market is already 4 bn US$.Benedikt Sons Co-Founder and CEO of Cansativa
Venture Capital Funding
Cansativa has raised already more than 20 m US$ in venture capital funding. The lead investor in their recent Series B round of 15 m US$ has been Casa Verde, amongst the investments was even Snoop Dog.
They are open to talking to new investors in order to prepare for the legalization of cannabis for recreational use.
Cansativa is hiring
Learn more on their website here:
The Video Interview is set to go live on Thursday, June 22nd 2022
The Audio Interview
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Further Readings / Additional Resources
One metric ton is 2.205 US pounds
BfArM: German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Institute_for_Drugs_and_Medical_Devices
The 2020 Interview
Here is the “old” interview from 2020 with Benedikt and Jakob, where we talked about legalized medical cannabis in Germany.
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The Interviewer
This interview was conducted by Jörn “Joe” Menninger, startup scout, founder, and host of Startuprad.io. Reach out to him:
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What Is Germany's Cannabis Startup Scene?
Germany approved cannabis for medical use and the Scholz coalition government was pursuing recreational legalization. Brothers Jakob and Benedikt Sons co-founded one of Germany's first cannabis startups, building the leading retail platform for medical cannabis and B2B marketplace. Their company became the exclusive partner for medical cannabis of Germany's Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices.
Introduction
In this founder interview, Startuprad.io catches up with brothers Jakob and Benedikt Sons, founders of one of Germany's first cannabis startups. The company is building the leading retail platform for medical cannabis in Germany and a B2B marketplace. They became the exclusive partner for medical cannabis of Germany's Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices. The episode explores the regulatory landscape, with the Scholz coalition government pledging to legalize recreational cannabis use. Benedikt (CEO, consulting background) and Jakob (lawyer, Managing Director) bring complementary skills to navigating this heavily regulated market.
Executive Summary
Germany's cannabis market represents a massive opportunity as the country transitions from medical approval toward recreational legalization. The Sons brothers have built a pioneering startup that serves as the exclusive medical cannabis partner of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, operating both a retail platform and B2B marketplace. The Scholz coalition government's commitment to recreational legalization adds significant growth potential. The episode was enabled by Hessen Trade and Invest.
Key Takeaways
Germany has approved cannabis for medical use, with the Scholz coalition government pursuing legalization of recreational use.
Brothers Jakob and Benedikt Sons co-founded one of Germany's first cannabis startups, building both a retail platform and B2B marketplace.
The company is the exclusive partner for medical cannabis of Germany's Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM).
Benedikt Sons (CEO) brings a consulting background while Jakob Sons (Managing Director) is a lawyer — ideal for a heavily regulated industry.
Atomic Answer
Entities Referenced in This Episode
People
Benedikt Sons — Co-Founder and CEO, consulting background
Jakob Sons — Co-Founder, Lawyer, and Managing Director
Jörn "Joe" Menninger — Startuprad.io host
Institutions
Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) — Exclusive medical cannabis partner
Scholz Coalition Government — Pursuing recreational cannabis legalization
Hessen Trade and Invest / Invest-in-Hessen — Episode sponsor
Topics
Medical cannabis Germany, recreational legalization, cannabis startup, B2B marketplace, regulated market entry
Relationship Map
Benedikt + Jakob Sons → co-founded → German cannabis startup
Company → exclusive partner of → BfArM for medical cannabis
Scholz coalition → pursuing → recreational cannabis legalization
Company → building → leading retail platform + B2B marketplace
Quote Highlights
Germany’s coalition government approved cannabis for medical use and is moving toward recreational legalization — creating significant startup opportunities.
Cansativa has raised already more than 20 m US$ in venture capital funding. The lead investor in their recent Series B round of 15 m US$ has been Casa Verde, amongst the investments was even Snoop Dog.
The brothers expect Germany to have a domino effect in the EU and kickstart legalization for recreational use in the whole EU with a population of around 450 million people.
Canada has four years after legalization a market size of ~ 4 bn US$, with a population of not even 40 m.
Jakob and Benedikt Sons are the founders of one of Germany’s first medical cannabis startups, with Benedikt as CEO from a consulting background and Jakob as a lawyer and Managing Director.
Related Episodes on Startuprad.io
This Month in GSA Startups — October 2022 — Covered the Snoop Dogg-backed cannabis startup's $37.6M round
Fintech Review 2022 — DACH ecosystem context including cannabis funding
Browse all Startuprad.io episodes — Topic hub: German cannabis and regulation
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is cannabis legal in Germany?
At the time of this interview, cannabis was legal for medical use in Germany. The Scholz coalition government, formed by three parties, had committed to legalizing recreational cannabis use as well, creating significant startup opportunity.
Who are the Sons brothers?
Benedikt Sons (CEO, consulting background) and Jakob Sons (lawyer, Managing Director) co-founded one of Germany's first cannabis startups. Their company became the exclusive partner for medical cannabis of Germany's Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices.
What does the cannabis startup do?
The company is building the leading retail platform for medical cannabis in Germany and a B2B marketplace for the cannabis industry. As the exclusive partner of Germany's Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, they have a unique position in this regulated market.
About the Host
Joern "Joe" Menninger is the host of the Startuprad.io podcast and covers founders, investors, and policy developments across the DACH startup ecosystem. Through more than 1,300 interviews and nearly a decade of reporting, he documents the evolution of the European startup landscape. Follow Joern on LinkedIn.
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