Germany: Before legalizing cannabis, a limit for the active substance THC must be discussed
The German federal government's drug commissioner, Burkhard Blienert, calls for a debate on an upper limit for the psychoactive substance THC before cannabis is legalized in Germany. “THC levels have tripled on average over the past few years. A joint from the 70s can no longer be compared to one from today,” Blienert told “Welt am Sonntag”. There needs to be “serious discussion” whether an upper THC limit for recreational cannabis use should be introduced as part of legalization.
Before the legalization of cannabis in Germany, the federal government's drug commissioner Burkhard Blienert calls for a debate on an upper limit for the psychoactive active substance THC. “The THC content has tripled on average over the past few years. A joint from the 70s is no longer comparable to one from today,” Blienert told the newspaper “Welt am Sonntag”. There should be “serious discussion” about whether to introduce a THC cap for recreational cannabis use as part of legalization.
according to Blienert, opponents of a cap argue that it would not stem the black market. Proponents of this measure highlight the risks associated with cannabis use. “I think both arguments are understandable. We will see where we are at the end of the process,” the drug enforcement official said.
The Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists had recently come out in favor of an upper limit of THC.
The Ampel parties had agreed in the coalition agreement to introduce “controlled distribution of cannabis to adults for consumption in licensed stores”. A bill should be presented to this effect at the end of the year.
Psychotherapists call for cannabis to be legalized and alcohol to be made more expensive
“Alcohol is clearly more dangerous than cannabis”: with this declaration, the Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists recommends, among other things, that alcohol should only be sold from the age of 18 and against its sale in supermarkets.
“No drug policy can prevent drugs from being tried and used. That is why adults and young people must also learn to use drugs in a way that does not endanger their health and that the risk of abuse and dependence remains low,” says Dietrich Munz, President of the Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists.
In one communicated, the Chamber calls for the establishment of new strategies in terms of anti-drug policy. She is in favor of cannabis and the increase in the price of alcohol. Like all psychoactive products, both must be sold in licensed stores. At the same time, the chamber advocates a minimum age of 18 for the purchase of any legal drug and that offenses against minors be more punished than before.
