- Greetings at (H) Ashheim's Sanctuary – Organization champions marijuana farming.
The small town of Aschheim near Munich is now infamously called "Hashheim" due to Wenzel Cerveny. This guy, the head of his "Chillout Club," is creating a buzz throughout Germany and beyond as he vigorously battles for his right to grow cannabis on a larger scale for his club members.
Ride-On Toys versus Cannabis Cultivation
In the storage areas of his self-established specialty shop, green plants are growing strong, potentially meeting the needs of the approximately 120 club members. However, a small, wobbling wooden horse and a blue playhouse set up by the city council near the town hall are causing issues. This new attraction is now referred to as the "town hall playground," and cannabis cultivation clubs are strictly prohibited within 200 meters of such areas.**
The city council, in the spring, made it clear their intent to prevent the cannabis club at all costs. As stated by Christian Schürer, the municipality's business manager, "That's the policy we're sticking to."
Cerveny fails to comprehend their stance. "They built the playground due to fear that Frankfurt Main Station's entire drug scene would move to Aschheim," he says, adding that he's only seen two children play there. Cerveny is contesting the playground's building permit and seeking one for his "Chillout Club."**
Over 280 applications for cannabis cultivation clubs
Cerveny is among the thousands who have submitted applications for cannabis cultivation clubs nationwide. Despite 14 permits being issued, none have been granted in Bavaria, where the minister-president has stated his intention to make things as challenging as possible for marijuana users.**
Since July 1, non-commercial "cultivation associations" with up to 500 members have been given the green light to operate, as the second stage of cannabis legalization in Germany. In these clubs, adults can start cultivating and sharing cannabis among themselves for personal use.**
Members are primarily "baby boomers" and pain patients
"Söder is making this difficult," says Cerveny. "He should leave the church in peace." Most enrolled members are "baby boomers," with many being pain patients. To provide for them, Cerveny has an alternative plan if he fails to acquire permission to grow in the organic store: he wants to use containers.**
He's already secured one - allegedly at a 100,000-euro cost - with enough space for 6,000 seedlings and high-tech systems to control temperature, humidity, fertilizers, and irrigation. A lack of water would prompt a warning on his phone.**
This fully automated container system complies with safety regulations, is equipped with surveillance and theft protection, and minimizes the potent plant smell via filter systems. This system can be easily upgraded.**
Meanwhile, Cerveny claims to have received offers from Aschheim residents to place containers on their industrial sites. He's also extended an invitation to Bavaria's Health Minister Judith Gerlach (CSU) and, more appropriately, the Minister-President Söder to witness the system for themselves.
The Aschheim town hall appears unmoved by the container idea for now, as Schürer claims to have only heard about it through the news.
Cerveny is adamant: "The containers can't be stopped now."
In light of the city council's prohibition of cannabis cultivation clubs within 200 meters of the "town hall playground," Cerveny is considering setting up his cultivation facilities in containers, as he has already secured one for this purpose in Bavaria, known for its strict cannabis policies under Minister-President Markus Söder.
Despite the challenges in Aschheim, Wenzel Cerveny's cannabis cultivation plans have gained attention beyond Germany, with over 280 applications for cannabis clubs nationwide, including Bavaria, where only non-commercial associations with up to 500 members are currently allowed under Germany's second stage of cannabis legalization.
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