As of: March 28, 2024, 8:46 p.m
By: Felicitas Breschendorf
Comments
Press
Split
Legalization makes it easier to smoke weed under certain conditions. But what happens to the stoners who need help?
With the introduction of the cannabis law on April 1, 2024, some problems should disappear into thin air: For example, consumers no longer have to buy from the dealer, who in turn has to look for a new job. Despite partial legalization, there will still be people who not only smoke weed for fun, but also suffer from their consumption and need help from addiction counseling centers.
Legal advice for cannabis consumers is decreasing
Werner Brose assumes that not much will change when dealing with cannabis addicts. He works for the Vista association, which runs several addiction counseling centers in Berlin. For 20 years he has counseled people about their consumption or addiction. He is now responsible for the organization as head of the “Advice, Therapy and Family Support” department.
So far, consumers who want to get legal advice have also come to the addiction counseling centers, says Brose
BuzzFeed News Germany
from
IPPEN.MEDIA.
For example, they were looking for a lawyer who was familiar with cannabis crimes. By reducing criminal prosecution through partial legalization, there may be less need for it. “It may be that some people come to counseling less because they don’t feel any pressure from the judiciary,” says Brose.
Cannabis legalization
In the future, the use of cannabis will generally be prohibited by law - but will be permitted, with exceptions, for people aged 18 and over. This applies, among other things, to the possession of up to 25 grams of dried grass for personal consumption, which you can carry with you in public spaces. In addition, you are allowed to grow a maximum of three plants per person in your private space. “Growing associations”, i.e. something like cannabis clubs for adults, in which members can grow cannabis and sell it to each other for their own consumption, will also be allowed on July 1st.
Will the number of cannabis addicts increase?
The majority of consumers in addiction counseling centers are obviously not interested in legal support, as the social worker also confirms. “Most people go to counseling centers to reflect on or change their own consumption. Nothing will change.”
In 2021, there were at least 50,572 outpatient consultations and treatments for health and social problems with cannabis, as figures from the German Center for Addiction Issues (DHS) show. In recent years, the number of cannabis addicts has increased - this is the experience of addiction counseling centers, including the Vista association. Will there be more in the future?
A look at other countries shows that cannabis consumption does not necessarily increase after legalization. In the five years after decriminalization in 2001, fewer 15- to 24-year-olds in Portugal used cannabis, according to a study by the International Society for the Study of Drug Policy at the University of Kent. Researchers at the University of Hamburg, who evaluated 160 studies from the USA, Canada and Uruguay, have come to the conclusion that consumption for recreational purposes only increases slightly shortly after legalization, but increases more strongly in the long term.
It is important to note that consumption is not the same as addiction. Brose does not expect a rush of new people seeking help as a result of cannabis legalization in German advice centers.
This is an article from
BuzzFeed News Germany
. We are part of the
IPPEN.MEDIA
network. Here you can find all articles from
BuzzFeed News Germany
.
“In the future, people will continue to notice when their cannabis consumption is a hindrance to their lives.”
From April 1st, smoking weed will probably not become a purely leisure activity. The question remains whether people are more likely to underestimate their cannabis consumption when it is no longer illegal. Brose doesn't think so.
“
In the future, people will continue to notice when their cannabis consumption is a hindrance to their lives, for example at work or when dealing with their partner.” It shows that the danger has nothing to do with whether a drug is legal or illegal the phenomenon of alcohol addiction. In contrast to other countries, Germany regulates access to alcohol very laxly.
However, with decriminalization, stoners, like alcohol drinkers, could be seen as more of a part of society. Do people then talk more openly about their consumption because it may be more socially acceptable? Brose believes that feelings of shame will continue. Because those affected feel it within their own social group, towards friends and family - not towards society as a whole. So more people wouldn't suddenly dare to get help.
In addition, those affected usually do not only consume cannabis, as he says. “Visitors to the counseling centers often consume several drugs.
“
In addition to cannabis, there are also amphetamines, for example, which are still illegal.
My news
Cheese recall: Federal Office warns of health risks – according to the RKI, three groups are particularly susceptible to focus reading
Nasty scam with the Rosenheim cops: Actors pack with atrocities read out in their name
Flixbus accident on the A9 near Leipzig: bus companies had already received negative attention months ago
Princess Kate has cancer – this is how Victoria of Sweden and Mette-Marit of Norway react
German biathlon star hints at returning after career end
Quake in the construction industry: Read the bankruptcy of a large German real estate company
More on the topic: Rules for cultivation and consumption: What cannabis legalization means