Cannabis legalization: What the Ostalbkreis needs to know now!

Cannabis legalization: What the Ostalbkreis needs to know now!

The consumption of cannabis has been legal in Germany since April 1, 2024, which is a great topic of discussion. The new regulation, which allows home cultivation in cultivation associations from July 1, 2024, is intended not only to curb the illegal market, but also to improve the quality of cannabis and strengthen the protection of minors. As the Swabian Post reports, the way we deal with cannabis has changed noticeably. Healthcare experts, including Tobias Braun and Dr. med. Christopher Dedner, recently informed the district health committee about developments in the Ostalb district.

There have been fears that legalization could lead to an increase in abusive use, but these concerns appear to be unfounded. Loud Schwäbische.de The consumption of cannabis in the Ostalbkreis has not increased significantly. In fact, the proportion of people who sought counseling for cannabis addiction problems fell from 14.9% in 2023 to 11.01% in 2024. Alcoholism, on the other hand, remains the biggest challenge at 40.8%.

Positive effects of legalization

Although partial legalization has led to a slight increase in cannabis consumption, this cannot be directly linked to it. On the contrary, legalization has made society's perception of cannabis more open. In the long term, this could even help to reduce interest in smoking weed among younger people, as negative effects on learning and concentration are often discussed among them. Experts point out that brain development is not complete until around the age of 25, which is why young consumers in particular should be careful.

The PSB (psychosocial counseling and outpatient treatment centers) in the Ostalbkreis have responded to this and are increasingly offering programs for affected young people, such as group offers and school offers for prevention. Early interventions in particular attempt to identify and counteract abusive consumption at an early stage.

New challenges for addiction prevention

However, the legalization of cannabis has also brought new challenges for addiction prevention. The counseling centers are recording an increase in inquiries on all topics related to addiction as well as an increase in mixed consumption, especially cocaine. Dr. Dedner has also raised concerns about cannabis prescribing and the use of online pharmacies. People at risk of addiction should continue to receive the support they need to deal with their problems.

Experience to date shows that the legal regulation sets clear limits; Adults are allowed to carry up to 25 grams in public and store up to 50 grams at home, while consumption is prohibited in certain public areas. These strict requirements are also intended to ensure that the protection of minors is maintained, which is a central goal of the new legislation.

Some cultivation clubs in the Aalen and Schwäbisch Gmünd area are already waiting for permits, which represents the next step in the implementation of legalization. While these developments around cannabis offer many opportunities, it remains to be seen how the social and health aspects will continue to develop. The Discourse magazine describes the international experiences and the different approaches that other countries have chosen for legalization. Germany now has the chance to learn from these experiences and create a safe and responsible network around the consumption of cannabis.