The traffic light government wants to allow controlled distribution of cannabis to adults for recreational purposes. Addiction societies see many risks – especially for young people.
In the event of a future controlled sale of cannabis to adults, addiction experts have warned of consequential damage and have called for preventive measures. Among other things, a quantity limit for sales and warnings are needed.
In addition, illegal trade must be consistently prevented and, above all, the protection of minors must be taken into account and expanded. Leading German addiction specialist societies called for this in a joint position paper published by the German Center for Addiction Issues (DHS).
According to the coalition agreement, the traffic light government wants to allow controlled sales of cannabis to adults for recreational purposes in certain licensed shops. The experts called on the legislature to take measures to “reduce the health and social consequences that could be expected from an expansion of cannabis use”.
Experts call for legal tax from 21
The catalog of demands comes from the DHS, the German Society for Addiction Research and Addiction Therapy and the two German Society for Addiction Medicine and Addiction Psychology. You cover the entire spectrum of prevention, research, therapy and advice and are confronted with all “cannabis-related disorders and consequences of consumption”. Against this background, from the point of view of the signatories, a bundle of precautions is necessary: the number of licensed sales outlets should be limited, as should their opening times. You would have to keep a minimum distance to youth leisure facilities and schools. Consumption should be prohibited there, including the sale of alcohol and tobacco.
The experts are also calling for the legal sale of cannabis not to be allowed from the age of 18, but only from the age of 21. “Rationale: Completion of maturation of the brain, reduction of risks for cannabis-related disorders,” as the paper states. Violations of the protection of minors would have to be sanctioned with a withdrawal of the sales license. Dangerous preparations should be banned, as should any direct or indirect promotional measure. Packaging should be provided with warnings and telephone numbers for advice.
Call for comprehensive accompanying research
Parallel to the increase in tax revenue from the sale of cannabis, investments should be made “of a comparable magnitude” in “improved prevention, early detection, early intervention, advice, support and treatment as well as health care and therapy research in the field of cannabis-related disorders”. The specialist societies also warn: “It is to be expected that the illegal market will counteract lost sales through increased sales pressure through lower prices and sales to minors”.
The federal government’s new drug commissioner, Burkhard Blienert (SPD), recently said: “It makes no sense to break legalization over the knee now if the sales outlets have to close again a little later because we forgot something.” In any case, there will still be “a law in this election period that will make it legal for adults to buy cannabis, but it will be controlled and safe in Germany.”
The specialist societies called for comprehensive accompanying research. In addition, a group of experts from various disciplines should advise the government on implementation.
Source: Stern
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