What can Europe learn from the German approach to cannabis?

by Team Inc.

2020-04-24 What can Europe learn from the German approach to cannabis policy

Regulatory and policy research in Germany, the third largest legal cannabis market in the world after North America.

As of December 2019, Germany represented the largest market in the world for legal cannabis-based products after America and Canada. Since the country switched to prescribing cannabis for medical use to critically ill patients in 2017, approximately 60.000 patients have received cannabis prescriptions from their health insurance providers. With the German approach to cannabis policy increasingly being used as a model for other EU member states, MCN is examining cannabis regulation in Germany.

Law and policy

Although cannabis for recreational and adult use is banned in Germany, the laws on possession penalties differ step by state from state to state. In Hamburg, Lower Saxony and Bavaria, for example, citizens cannot be prosecuted if they do not have more than 6 grams of cannabis in their pocket. While in Rhineland-Palatinate and Thuringia the allowable amount increases to 10 grams. Possession of up to 15 grams of weed is effectively decriminalized in Berlin, although residents of the capital have expressed concern that this could lead to 'cannabis tourism', similar to that in Amsterdam. The German Narcotics Commissioner Daniela Ludwig has called for standardization of rules between states.

The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) can grant licenses to producers who want to grow cannabis in Germany, which is currently completely dependent on imported products. The first licensed German cannabis harvest is scheduled for the end of 2020; and BfArM accepts applications for its public tender. The successful company will oversee the distribution of all domestically grown cannabis flowers to German pharmacies.

Germany's Green, Left, and Free Democratic Parties are all active advocates for the legalization and regulation of adult cannabis, with the promise that legalizing the drug would help protect its consumers. By regulating how cannabis is sold and monitoring its components, and by setting strict age limits, the parties argue that adult consumers are less likely to consume a contaminated product. Removing the stigma of purchasing the drugs through illegal means would help alleviate consumers' fears of seeking medical attention where necessary.

Cannabis as a medicine

In 2017, the German government approved the legalization of cannabis as a prescription drug for 'critically ill' patients for whom 'no therapeutic alternative' existed. The then narcotics commissioner, Marlene Mortler, Ludwig's predecessor, warned at the time: `` The use of cannabis as a medicine within narrow limits is beneficial and needs further investigation. At the same time, cannabis is not a harmless substance: legalization for private pleasure is not the goal. It is intended for medical use only. ”

The move to legalize cannabis for medical purposes took an increasingly progressive approach, moving the THC-based medicine Dronabinol for research purposes in 1994; followed by further easing of regulations in 1998, making the drug available by prescription under very specific circumstances. In 2008, seven patients across Germany were prescribed cannabis-related treatment.
In 2018, legal sales of medicinal cannabis in Germany reached $ 73 million, the highest of any EU member state. Imports of cannabis flowers into the country have doubled annually since 2017.

Cannabis culture

About four million Germans use cannabis regularly, as prescribed or unofficial treatment for medical or recreational use. Berlin, hosts an annual 'Hanfparade' (hemp parade), a demonstration calling for the full legalization of hemp; the city is also home to the Hanfmuseum (hemp museum), Germany's only cannabis-focused museum.

Germany and Europe

Prohibition Partners' fourth European cannabis report, published in 2019, predicted a chance between 60% and 70% of the EU as a whole to legalize medical and adult cannabis use by 2023. If this is the case, the European cannabis market in Europe would be worth $ 2028 billion by 136.

The European Medical Cannabis Association (EUMCA) has indicated that the EU can look to Germany in its pursuit of harmonization of cannabis laws across Europe - a process launched by the European Commission in 2019. If Europe's largest economy and with an expected cannabis market Germany is set to grow to $ 2028 billion by 8,6 with harmonized EU law, Germany will lead the way for European cannabis.

Read more healtheuropa.eu (Source, EN)

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1 comment

Karsten Bogelund 24 June 2021 - 10:56

You'll be fine with it as soon as you can get THC with your fresh HASH in the mell 30-35 days and now you can enjoy the fresh air ØV Cool with it until your THC

Answered

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