The Ministry of Health announced on Monday that it will consult more than 200 experts from, among others, the medical and legal fields as well as relevant authorities.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government - the so-called "traffic light coalition" consisting of the Social Democratic SPD, liberal FDP and the Green Party - is behind the effort to legalize the sale of cannabis to adults in licensed stores.
According to the plan, the effects of a possible legalization will be evaluated after four years.
Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said in May that a proposal for legislation could be made in the second half of the year, after the experts were consulted.
The hearings start at the end of the month.
"Like many others, I have worked for several years for Germany to finally put an end to the criminalization of cannabis users, to move to a modern and health-oriented cannabis policy," said Burkhard Blienert, head of government affairs, in a statement.
Several countries are reviewing legislation
The debate about cannabis is in full swing in many countries with proposals to decriminalize the drug for personal use.
Earlier in June, for example, it became legal to grow and possess marijuana in Thailand.
The practice is to be used for medical purposes and the Thai government says it wants to raise awareness rather than punish people who use it.