As of: March 26, 2024, 9:38 a.m
By: Lennart Schwenck
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The use of cannabis products containing THC will be legalized.
But is smoking weed allowed in the workplace?
These regulations apply to employees from April 1, 2024.
Kassel – Groundbreaking legislation will come into force in Germany at the beginning of April: smoking weed and purchasing products containing THC will be legal from April 1st.
This poses a number of challenges for employees and employers: What about cannabis consumption in the workplace?
The managing director of the German Statutory Accident Insurance (DGUV), Dr.
Stefan Hussy, recently expressed
his opinion on the topic of cannabis in the workplace to
ots news aktuell .
He spoke out strongly against its use and emphasized that cannabis should have no place in the world of work - similar to alcohol and other drugs.
Cannabis consumption: workplace regulations and recommendations
The new law was not a good star.
The Federal Council recently had another heated debate, youth protection associations and health insurance companies took to the barricades and Health Minister Karl Lauterbach also received many concerns from the states.
A clear “no” came from Bavaria and Prime Minister Markus Söder in particular.
But despite all the criticism: Smoking weed will be legal from April 1, 2024, even at work.
But since the law does not explicitly prohibit consumption at work, Hussy says employees are obliged not to be under the influence of drugs while working.
Especially not when it could endanger their safety and the safety of others.
The DGUV therefore recommends prohibiting the consumption of cannabis in the workplace through work instructions or company agreements.
The legalization of THC-containing cannabis consumption is dividing opinions across Germany: How does the legal regulation relate to everyday work?
© Karl-Josef Hildenbrand/dpa
Smoking weed in Germany: protecting children and young people
The DGUV chairwoman also emphasized the importance of safety and health in educational institutions: “Supplying cannabis to minors is and remains a criminal offense.
Public consumption in the immediate vicinity of schools, children's and youth facilities, playgrounds and public sports facilities will not be tolerated and remains prohibited," said Hussy.
The DGUV demands the same standards for alcohol and cannabis in the workplace.
Any consumption that could cause danger must be excluded.
In a working paper, the German Statutory Accident Insurance is therefore pushing for the development of evidence-based criteria for determining impairment caused by cannabis consumption.
In addition, information campaigns are required to make the risks of cannabis clear and to counteract trivialization.
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