Some organizers from the Tölzer Land want to ban the consumption of cannabis. The concern is currently limited.
Bad Tölz/Wolfratshausen – After the partial legalization of cannabis by the traffic light coalition in Berlin, the Bavarian state government is restricting consumption in public spaces. A weed ban should apply at folk festivals and in beer gardens. The controversial cannabis law is also causing discussions among organizers in the Tölzer Land. How should you deal with guests smoking a joint on the event premises? Should it be better to ban consumption straight away? A survey of organizers of outdoor events.
“No worries” at the Tölzer Rosentage – Peter Frech hopes for “common sense”
With spring, outdoor events begin again in the region. One of these is the Tölzer Rose Days at Pentecost. “I’m already stressed about preparation,” reports organizer Michaela Dorfmeister. She admits that she hasn't given much thought to cannabis consumption on the premises. “We are a family event,” says the organizer. “That's why I'm definitely not worried.” Especially since “fortunately” a police patrol patrols the area from time to time. “The officers are trained.” If there is any doubt, there are enough people on the site to intervene. “I have never had any problems dealing with cases like this,” assures Dorfmeister. Still, she hopes there won't be any incidents involving cannabis.
A funny experience moves Dorfmeister. Recently her cell phone showed pictures from the Reichersbeur carnival parade in 2015. It showed a wagon with the inscription “Hemp Days” in reference to the Tölzer Rose Days. The organizer is amused by the fact that cannabis consumption is actually permitted nine years later, but in the same breath she makes it clear with a laugh: “We have no ambitions.”
Peter Frech has already organized many events in Bad Tölz, including the annual Harley and US car meetings in Moraltpark. Frech sets a “zero tolerance limit” for cannabis. Ultimately, the ability to react is limited when consumed. “Of course we are not in favor of people using our products.” The catch: “We can’t control it, only the police can do that.”
Red line at the Lenggrieser Festwoche: “We don’t feel like it ourselves either”
Frech believes that putting up signs or similar things is “pointless. You'll never reach everyone." If a visitor does consume something, they still want to take action against it. “I would appeal to common sense and tell the person to put out the joint,” explains Frech, who also wants to exercise his house rules in an emergency. “I would be happy if no one consumed it.”
However, he is currently not particularly worried about the cannabis law when it comes to his events: “I don’t think we’ll have a big problem with stoners.” Frech is hoping for “common sense”.
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There is a red line when it comes to cannabis at the Lenggrieser Festival Week. “Basically, consumption is not permitted here,” explains festival host Peter Gascha. This had already been considered before the state government's decision on Tuesday. “We have a lot of children in the beer garden area, the sports center is nearby,” explains Gascha. “And to be honest, we don’t feel like it ourselves.” Information signs should be put up on the site. “If someone smokes weed with us, we will ask them to turn it off,” says Gascha. He's not particularly worried. “It was similar with the smoking ban, people are normal and stick to it.”
The city of Bad Tölz is waiting for now
Sebastian Berger, organizer of the “Season of Sounds” festival in Wegscheid at the beginning of July, cannot make a firm statement at this point. Just this much: “In consultation with the authorities, we adhere to the legislation that applies at the time of the festival.” However, there are still too many ambiguities at the moment. In principle, they support the protection of children and young people.
The Tölzer Stadtwerke Oach Festival is taking place again this year in the Eichmühle natural outdoor swimming pool. “We will adhere to the regulations in force at the time of the festival,” says spokeswoman Martina Geisberger. Since municipalities will in future also have the opportunity to prohibit consumption in certain public areas such as outdoor pools, it is to be expected that you will not be allowed to smoke weed at the Oach Festival.
The city of Bad Tölz is initially waiting to deal with the new cannabis law. “We have taken note of the legal changes,” said the town hall in response to a request. “We will decide in the near future in coordination with the city council what need for action and what opportunities arise from this.”
(vfi)