Drugs
Union: Cannabis law has not proven effective
Since July 1st, adults in non-commercial “cultivation associations” have been able to grow cannabis together and sell it to each other for their own consumption. However, they must first apply for a permit. photo
© Friso Gentsch/dpa
Stoners celebrated the legalization of cannabis. This is not a majority opinion, as a survey shows. The police union finds the new rules to be “poorly crafted”.
Almost one in three Germans has noticed more cannabis consumption in their environment since legalization. This is shown by the results of a representative survey by the opinion research institute YouGov on behalf of the German Press Agency. 31 percent of those eligible to vote said they were consuming more in their everyday lives Observe cannabis. Police officers also come to a similar conclusion. “We are seeing more detections in public spaces and in traffic,” says Alexander Poitz, deputy federal chairman of the police union (GdP).
More than half of German citizens think legalization is wrong
In retrospect, a narrow majority of 55 percent consider legalization to be wrong. 37 percent of adult Germans find it correct. Eight percent of the more than 2,100 respondents were undecided on this question or did not provide any information.
In general, smoking weed has been legal for adults since April 1st, with restrictions. Since then, it has been allowed to grow up to three plants at the same time in private homes and you can store up to 50 grams of cannabis. Since July 1st, non-commercial “growing associations” with up to 500 members have also been able to start. However, they must first apply for a permit. In the clubs, adults can grow cannabis together and sell it to each other for their own consumption. Cultivation of cannabis for commercial purposes – apart from medical cannabis – is not permitted. By the end of August, according to a dpa survey of state authorities nationwide, the authorities had received more than 280 applications for permits.
GdP does not yet see any positive effects
A declared aim of the traffic light government’s reform was to reduce the black market by legalizing limited home cultivation. At least the police union (GdP) has considerable doubts that this goal will be achieved. “It was wrong to pass a law that places responsibility for an intoxicant exclusively in private hands,” says GdP Vice President Poitz. He would have found a concept with more state control better instead of forcing states and municipalities to comply with the complex rules, which include, for example, that consumption is not permitted in or within sight of schools.
Poitz believes that, firstly, the law sends clear signals that lead to more consumption and is overall “poorly crafted”. One consequence of this is that “organized crime structures now see a much larger market here.” It is also more convenient for them that they can now send their dealers out with larger quantities of cannabis without risk. According to the new law, each adult can carry up to 25 grams of dried cannabis.
The trade unionist says he and his colleagues have so far been unable to notice a decline in the black market as a result of legalization, nor have they seen any reduction in the burden on the police promised by Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD). It is possible that more consumers will overcome the bureaucratic hurdles to register a cultivation association in the coming months. Since smoking weed in public is now permitted for adults, tourists and other people who do not live permanently in Germany cannot become members of such an association, black market demand stimulated by legalized consumption can still be expected. believes Poitz.
The Federal Ministry of the Interior sees no problem in combating OK
When asked, a spokeswoman for the Federal Ministry of the Interior emphasized that the ministry had worked to ensure that aspects of security, effective crime fighting and the protection of minors were taken into account in the legislative process. However, more than two out of three German citizens doubt that the latter was successful.
68 percent of participants in the YouGov survey agreed with the statement “I am concerned about the health protection of children and young people when it comes to cannabis use.” Only 26 percent of German citizens do not share this concern.
The new regulation is expected to be evaluated in 2025
Since the legal situation has only been in force for a few months, no fundamental findings can currently be made about the impact on the work of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), according to the Federal Ministry of the Interior. The consequences of the law would be investigated promptly with the participation of the BKA, the federal police and the state police. Results are expected in the second half of next year, says the spokeswoman – perhaps not until after the next federal election. The legal instruments for combating internationally organized cannabis smuggling have not changed as a result of the amendment and continue to ensure an effective fight against organized crime, according to the ministry.
A 22-year-old was arrested in Paris at the beginning of October, whom investigators consider to be a “key figure” in the alleged drug deal, which is said to have been the starting point for a series of explosions that have rocked Cologne and other places in recent months. Investigators assume there were clashes between gangs. The spiral of violence is said to have been triggered by the theft of a large amount of cannabis from a warehouse in Hürth. Two hostage-takings are also attributed to the complex.