Less cannabis among young people: Hesse in cultivation plus!

Less cannabis among young people: Hesse in cultivation plus!

A lot has happened in the area of ​​cannabis legislation in Germany in recent years. A significant step was taken a year ago: the collective cultivation of cannabis in clubs is now legal. In Hesse, the authorities have now approved ten growing associations. According to the Darmstadt regional council, a total of 38 applications for approval were submitted, including two clubs in the Giessen district. There can be one club in cities such as Frankfurt, Darmstadt and Kassel - overall, the list extends to a wide range of local cultivation associations that offer those interested the opportunity to legally grow cannabis and use it together.

Cultivation is subject to strict regulations based on various criteria. This includes, among other things, information on the number of members, details on the location of the cultivation plot, the size of the cultivation areas and precise information on the amount of cannabis mined annually, divided into marijuana and hashish. In addition, cultivation for personal use, i.e. growing up to three plants per person, has been legal since April 1, 2024.

Decline in consumption among young people

A current study carried out as part of the Frankfurt Drug Trends Monitoring System (MoSyD) shows interesting trends regarding cannabis consumption among young people. Over 1,500 students aged 15 and over are surveyed every year about their consumption habits, and the results speak for themselves: Only 22 percent of 15 to 18 year olds have ever tried cannabis. This represents a decline seen over the past decade and marks the lowest level since the survey began in 2002. The study leaders, including Bernd Werse, emphasize that the fears of an increase in consumption due to partial legalization have not been confirmed - both the lifetime prevalence and current consumption have fallen significantly.

The target groups in particular are viewed in a differentiated manner. While fluctuating consumption is observed in nightlife scenes, a new peak in cannabis consumption has developed in the “hard scene”. It appears that the normalization of cannabis is progressing in various social subgroups, such as adolescents and young adults. Despite these various trends, the appearance of cannabis is becoming increasingly unappealing among younger age groups, which could trigger a decline in consumption.

Influence of social media and prevention

Another aspect of the decline could be the role of social media. The research suggests that cannabis has become “boring” and “uncool” for many young people. In fact, further surveys show that the general use of psychoactive substances, including tobacco, is decreasing among young people. Even preventive campaigns initiated by the Federal Institute for Public Health hardly find any response among the young target group. On the other hand, prevention work in schools seems to be well received, even if the police are not always well-reputed in this context.

In summary, it can be said that the developments surrounding the legalization of cannabis cultivation in Germany have brought about significant change. While the growing associations in Hesse are flourishing, current statistics and studies show a positive trend in declining consumption among young people. Continued monitoring of trends will show how this dynamic landscape continues to unfold.

Further details on developments in Hesse can be found in the reports from Borken newspaper, information from the drug trend studies of the Frankfurt monitoring system and current evaluations of the FAZ.