However, it is still controversial whether cannabis is really the only reason for psychosis. Presumably, the risk mainly affects adolescents with increased susceptibility to this disease. Ulrich Preuß, president of the German Society for Addiction Medicine, therefore warns: « People whose relatives are suffering from psychosis or who have themselves had psychotic symptoms in childhood and adolescence are at-risk people who should not touch cannabis. » For them, there is a high risk that consumption will permanently lead to serious psychiatric illness. Psychosis is not the only thing: the likelihood of developing depression, anxiety disorder or bipolar disorder is also higher with regular high cannabis use in adolescence. Manufacturers and producers of tobacco substitutes in the form, for example, of dried CBD hemp flowers must declare their products to the Federal Office of Public Health before they are sold. In particular, the notification shall contain a laboratory analysis confirming the non-psychotropic effect and the absence of nicotine. The packaging must also meet certain requirements. The same warning images as cigarette packages must be printed on every retail package. In order for consumers of tobacco substitutes to perceive the warnings clearly and distinctly, they must represent at least 35 % of the front and 50 % of the back of the surface of the package.
In addition, the words « < 1% THC" and "plant products other than tobacco" must appear on the packaging. Although several studies have confirmed the medicinal effects of cannabidiol (CBD), producers of legal CBD hemp products are prohibited from making promises of healing to customers and promoting them as medicines or remedies. [57] However, in some countries, cannabis has already been legalized or at least decriminalized. The possession of small quantities is therefore not punishable, but at most punishable by a fine. We provide an overview of which regulations apply and where. Bolivia chose this option: "Bolivia withdrew from the UN Convention, legalized coca pellets and then reunited them," says Kouparanis. The problem: this process takes time. Germany should have withdrawn from the agreement by July 1 in order to achieve legalization in 2023.
Heiãt: Buschmann`s plan for « next year`s first joint » is no longer possible – at least if Germany opts for it, according to the most realistic model, but also full of question marks. « I don`t want to deny that some issues are not yet entirely clear to us in the assessment, » said Drug Commissioner Blienert. How the problem with the EU could be solved, it leaves open. Luxembourg has said goodbye to legalisation for the time being, precisely because of these problems. There, it is temporarily allowed to grow cannabis in certain quantities at home. « This should be a first step towards allowing the first legal access in the short term, » said Bob Lessel, who is responsible for the issue at the Luxembourg Ministry of Health. This law, which replaces the previous laws 6.378 and 10.409, stipulates, among other things, that the possession and consumption of illegal drugs are no longer considered a crime, go unpunished and that users can therefore no longer be sentenced to prison terms. Until now, Brazil has faced sentences of six months to three years in prison for drug possession. Instead, less repressive means can now be used to try to influence illicit drug users. In particular, warnings, supervision by social workers or the obligation to perform community service may be considered as means. A common argument in favor of legalizing cannabis is that other drugs such as alcohol or tobacco can also be legally purchased and consumed in Germany.
And even these funds can have serious health consequences. The start of legal sales was originally scheduled for mid-2014, but was postponed to 2015 due to technical difficulties with the pharmacy purchasing regulatory software system[157],[158] which could not be achieved due to additional delays (in November 2016). At present, however, it is already possible to register the cultivation of up to six plants for personal use and to found cannabis social clubs. [159] Sales began on July 19, 2017, initially in 16 pharmacies, which so far meet state requirements. [160] Consumption is prohibited in the workplace, in public places or while driving. [161] Now, starting in 2021, the Netherlands is launching a pilot project that is no different from Bremen`s plan: it wants to sell state-grown legal marijuana in ten different cities for four years. A total of 79 cafes are participating in this trial. For example, the Dutch government wants to test whether legal and controlled marijuana sells as well and whether illegal sales can be curbed by this measure.
The following cities are participating in the trial: Medical marijuana is legal in 37 states and Washington, DC (as of February 2022). [169] In early May, the 2022 Global March on Marijuana took place. It revolved around a polarizing topic that has been discussed for a long time: Should smoking weed be allowed in Germany? For many, the legalization of cannabis is long overdue, others warn of the health damage caused by the drug. The traffic light government announced in its coalition agreement to introduce a « controlled distribution of cannabis to adults for recreational purposes in licensed stores. » Now, the details and key points on the legalization of cannabis have been known and these have also been decided by the federal Cabinet. It is taking shape. As Lauterbach writes on Twitter, preparations for cannabis legalization are in full swing. « `Bubatz consumption` should become legal and safer, but not increase, » says Lauterbach. For children and adolescents, the risks would outweigh the risks. For adults, however, safe consumption is justifiable.
Medical cannabis has been legally available since 2013. [69] Carmen Wegge, SPD rapporteur in the Home Affairs Committee, criticised this optimistic prognosis in an interview with ARD capital. « We must « refrain from saying that we will definitely be able to do that next year this summer, » Wegge said. Their prediction is that cannabis probably won`t become legal until next year, i.e. in 2024 at the earliest. This law does not only apply to cannabis, but includes all illegal drugs.