Drugs
Criticism of increasing cannabis limits in traffic
The cannabis debate continues even after legalization. photo
© Sebastian Gollnow/dpa
Cannabis consumption is now legal for adults – but resistance to it continues to grow. Criticism doesn’t just come from politics.
In the discussion about increasing the Critical voices are increasing regarding the cannabis limit in road traffic. North Rhine-Westphalia’s Interior Minister Herbert Reul told the newspapers of the Funke media group that he was “very skeptical” about the increase in the limit value of THC proposed by a commission of experts.
To date, road users who are found to contain the cannabis active ingredient THC have committed an administrative offense. In case law, the low value of 1 nanogram of THC per milliliter of blood has been established, above which fines, points and a driving ban can be imposed.
Following the example of the 0.5 per mille mark for alcohol, there should also be a tolerance limit for THC. A commission of experts suggested 3.5 nanograms. But first it is the Bundestag’s turn to pass a law for this, which will probably take some time.
“Expect fatal effects on the number of accidents”
The TÜV Association spoke out against the recommendation of the expert commission. “We reject the planned creation of a limit of 3.5 ng/ml THC in the blood serum for cannabis consumption in traffic,” said Fani Zaneta, road safety expert at the TÜV Association, to the newspapers of the Funke media group.
The proposed increase is premature and cannot currently be scientifically justified based on the available findings. “In addition, setting a THC limit in traffic sends the completely wrong message that it is tolerable to drive under the influence of certain drugs,” says Zaneta.
Reul reiterated that he feared the legalization of cannabis would have drastic consequences for road traffic: “I expect legalization to have fatal effects on the number of accidents,” said the CDU politician.
Bavaria’s Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann (CSU) had also announced resistance to the possible increase in the cannabis limit in traffic.