When the neighbor sells drugs

The Bild newspaper calls the plans presented by Germany’s Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) yesterday in Berlin “Karl’s stoner compromise”. Because they are no longer quite as far-reaching as originally formulated. However, the goal has not changed: Cannabis should become legal. The possession of 25 grams and the self-cultivation of three marijuana plants should in future be exempt from punishment. In addition, the German federal government wants to enable the cultivation and sale of the drug in special associations. Lauterbach called these clubs, which have a maximum of 500 members and are only allowed to sell the drug to them, “cannabis clubs”. Minimum age: 18 years.

The black market, says Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir (Greens), will be “annoyed” by this new regulation. No one should have to buy from dealers without knowing what they are getting. Lauterbach spoke of a “controlled delivery” to adults, flanked by preventive measures for young people. The step is necessary because the previous cannabis policy had failed.

Actually, the German traffic light government would have wanted to create many more opportunities for the after-work joint: cannabis specialty shops where Rausch products can be freely sold, for example. After talks with the EU Commission, this step will now follow later. And only in a few model regions – with scientific support.

Amsterdam and Simbach am Inn

A legalization of cannabis would also have far-reaching consequences for Upper Austria. Legal consumption then requires no flight to Amsterdam, just a train journey to Passau or Simbach am Inn. The Czech neighbors have now also agreed on legalization.

This is another reason why Upper Austria’s politicians cast a skeptical glance across the border. “In our state there is a clear commitment to the fight against drugs. We have to protect our children and young people from drugs instead of allowing addictive substances,” says Deputy Governor and Health Officer Christine Haberlander (VP). Youth Councilor Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer calls the legalization “irresponsible”. With “us in Austria” there will be no such thing.

But not only politicians, but also addiction experts see black smoke rising from the legalization: “The picture from the point of view of science and also clinical practice is clear: What we have observed so far is that countries that have legalized cannabis before enormous challenges,” says Kurosch Yazdi-Zorn, Head of the Clinic for Psychiatry with a focus on addiction medicine at the Kepler University Hospital in Linz. Because cannabis is a proven psychoactive substance that has both short-term and long-term health effects: addiction, cognitive impairment, mental illness and health complications. “Legalization would make access easier and lead to an increase in consumption,” says Yazdi-Zorn.

In recent years, however, there has been a clear trend towards the decriminalization of cannabis worldwide. The Netherlands, Spain, Portugal and Malta have made consumption and possession largely unpunished. Germany will follow.