Hemp Parade (Hanfparade)

The Hemp Parade (Hanfparade) promotes the legalisation of the use of cannabis in Germany, by extensively educating as many people as possible about its uses as a raw material (crop), medicine and luxury food.

It is the largest demonstration of its kind in Germany, with more than 8.000 participants, and has been taking place in Berlin since 1997.

The goals of Hemp Parade

Besides simply legalising the use of cannabis or hemp in Germany, the annual Hemp Parade has three very specific objectives:

1. Promote Hemp as a crop

At the moment, cannabis is seen simply as a “drug plant”, despite the various ways in which the plant can be utilised – such as for clothing, building material and food. The Hemp Parade believes that hemp should be regarded as any other crop, and, during the parade, presents examples of the numerous uses for hemp.

2. Facilitate access to cannabis medicine

Health insurers might already be accounting for the extra costs of medical cannabis, but obtaining this for those in need still remains a time-consuming, exhausting and bureaucratic procedure. The Hemp Parade demands to reduce such bureaucratic matters and promotes the right to grow one’s own cannabis.

3. Legalise cannabis as a luxury food

Under the Narcotics Act in the current policy, cannabis is banned, with the given reason being to “protect health”. However, the Hemp Parade argues that cannabis consumption poses fewer risks for both individuals and society than drugs such as alcohol and nicotine - which are legal in Germany.

With their 2020 motto “Hemp is good” the parade hopes to change the general view of cannabis as a risk to health.

Hemp parade after-parties

Usually, after an annual great Hemp Parade, nobody is in the mood to go home. Thus, there are a range of official Hanfparade Afterparties. You could even register one yourself by contacting the organisers. This year, however, due to the coronavirus pandemic, these might be restricted to a large extent.

Modified corona-free programme 2020

Also due to restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, for the very first time in history, the Hemp Parade cannot take place on the streets of Berlin. Instead the organisers have created a digital programme that will be live-streamed on their website on August 8 at 12 pm. Thus, all you need to attend is a device and a working internet connection!