High times or low blows? Experts fail to clear air over German drug legalisation | Cannabis

IThis was a landmark law passed by Germany’s previous center-left-led government: it was a legalizing measure. personal recreational use of marijuana Despite critics’ warnings, for those over 18 this would lead to a huge increase in drug use, including by teenagers, and strengthen criminal gangs.

Two years on, controversy over the move has still not been put to bed, with critics and advocates disagreeing over its impact on consumption, youth welfare and organized crime.

Preliminary results from an ongoing study of the policy’s consequences, released Wednesday, revealed a mixed picture with ample ammunition for both sides to claim vindication.

MPs Carmen Wegge and Christos Pantazis from the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) said that analysis to date shows that partial legalization is the right approach.

“The consumption patterns or dramatic negative effects on public health that critics fear have not yet materialized. In fact, consumption among young people is decreasing and the burden on the police and judiciary has significantly reduced,” the statement said.

Health Minister Nina Warken, from the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which opposed the law at the time and now leads the government, called the relaxed cannabis policy “a mistake.”

“There is a sharp decline in early intervention programs designed to prevent children and teenagers from using drugs,” said Warken, whose ministry commissioned the study. “Anyone who turns a blind eye to this is putting the health of our youngest children at risk.”

The law, passed on April 1, 2024, which introduced heavy red tape restrictions after a heated national debate, paved the way for people to be allowed to grow up to three plants for private consumption and possess 50 grams of cannabis at home or 25 grams in public.

The aim was a pragmatic policy that would legalize existing habits among adults and help curb the underground trade. However, liberalization was opposed by Friedrich Merz’s CDU and the Christian Social Union.

Ahead of last year’s general election, promises by current interior minister Alexander Dobrindt of the CSU to kill what he called “shitty legislation” were not kept, however, due to opposition from coalition partners the SPD.

In terms of public safety, Dobrindt called the law a “complete fiasco” and said it “hurts young people and encourages crime.” He added: “The black market is growing, crime is increasing.”

The work of experts provided a more detailed view. Researchers from three major German universities found that consumption from legal sources is increasing among adults, meaning the underground trade is “gradually being squeezed”.

“Based on all our research and surveys, we assume that the black market is decreasing,” said Jörg Kinzig, professor of criminology at the University of Tübingen.

Regarding overall usage in Germany, the researchers found that “no increase in consumption attributable to the reform is evident at this stage.”

They estimate that total annual demand in Germany is between 670 and 823 tonnes, and an increasing number of consumers are growing cannabis. Approximately 5 million people in Germany smoke at least occasionally.

Non-commercial growing associations, known as cannabis clubs and permitted subject to permits, “still play a minor role in partially displacing the black market,” the interim report said.

Experts noted the complexity of obtaining a license, which depends on a number of conditions. Last year, only 3.5% of consumers were getting their weed from a cannabis club.

Kinzig suggested that “those very restrictive eligibility criteria for producer associations be relaxed a little so that marijuana can be obtained legally through these associations.”

Wegge and Pantazis warned that organized crime would remain strong in regions such as Bavaria, which discouraged the establishment of cannabis clubs. The research clearly showed: “It is precisely these clubs that are needed to supply people with supplies in a safe and controlled way. They are an important component in the prevention of organized crime.”

Authorities’ early interventions to prevent addiction among children and teenagers have also declined, perhaps because fewer violations now lead to criminal charges, the study’s authors said. Consumption by young people has nevertheless fallen steadily since 2019.

At the same time, judges’ unions welcomed a “significant reduction” in caseloads, while police reported difficulties prosecuting the illegal cannabis trade due to heavy regulation.

Given the complexity of obtaining legal marijuana, many Germans get theirs for recreational use with doctor prescriptions through online pharmacies – a loophole the government is trying to close.

The research found that Germany constitutes Europe’s largest legal commercial market for medical cannabis, with 200 tonnes imported last year. The study noted that this figure was up almost 200% from the previous year, and most had high concentrations of THC, the main psychoactive ingredient in marijuana.

The final report is expected to be published in April 2028; Based on this report, the government will decide on the CDU/CSU’s attempt to repeal the law.