Cannabis legal in Germany: a model for all Europe?
After decades of debate, the possession, private cultivation and consumption of cannabis has been legalised for adults in Germany, although numerous restrictions still apply. Media from other EU states compare experiences and discuss the options for their own country.
Please do not imitate
Physician Hellmut Samonigg warns of the dangers of cannabis use in the Kleine Zeitung:
“German legislators are clearly willing to accept the potentially disastrous health (and societal) effects of cannabis consumption. Among other explanations they justify the legalisation by pointing to the fact that cannabis use is increasing despite the ban that existed on acquisition and possession. This argument is accepted as a given, with the result that a drug with potentially harmful effects is being legalised. From a medical point of view, any step towards imitating this policy by Austrian legislators would be highly questionable.”
Control almost impossible
Luxembourg's experiences show that restrictions are not always enforceable, Le Quotidien comments:
“Our big neighbour on the other side of the Moselle has finally followed in the footsteps of the Grand Duchy, where private cannabis cultivation has been permitted since July 2023. However, consumers in Luxembourg do not enjoy the same freedoms as their friends in Germany. Smoking a joint in public remains strictly forbidden. ... You have to stay within your own four walls and may not invite friends over. ... At least that's the law. But it is virtually impossible for the police to check whether weed growers are complying with all the legal restrictions.”
Consumption rising despite ban
News website Protagon writes:
“Synthetic cannabis is sold at Greek kiosks. The legal cannabis at kiosks acts as a substitute and entices customers to try the authentic product. ... Should Greece also move to decriminalise consumption? ... Does the ban on consumption limit its dissemination? The answer is an emphatic no. The second question is more complex. Will consumption increase if it is legalised? This cannot be answered with certainty, but it may not be relevant. Because consumption stands to increase either way. ... What is certain is that legalisation in Greece would immediately eliminate large parts of the criminal networks that rake in illegal earnings from the cannabis trade.”
Make this a joint venture
Denmark should follow suit, Weekendavisen demands:
“The legalisation confirms the normality with which more and more Danes accept cannabis. It can no longer be the job of the police to prevent what citizens freely choose for themselves. In short, Denmark should use the legalisation in Germany as an opportunity to rethink its restrictive relationship with the euphoriant plant. ... Legalisation could also benefit Danish agriculture, which is not getting the best press at the moment. Unlike cows and other livestock, hemp plants have the advantage of absorbing CO2 instead of excreting it. Perhaps Danish farmers could even work together with German colleagues - in a joint venture.”
Pioneers against prohibitionism
Germany has also pushed the EU forward in this matter, Il Manifesto comments approvingly:
“In contrast to the Netherlands, which tolerates the sale and consumption of cannabis despite a legal ban, the Scholz government has chosen the path of complete decriminalisation. ... The traffic light coalition had considerable trouble negotiating the move with the Commission in Brussels. The latter was annoyed by the German 'pressure', which called into question the entire EU regulatory framework based on uncompromising prohibitionism. Meanwhile, there was no real problem overcoming the resistance of the CDU/CSU MPs who tried to block the law through parliamentary channels until the very end - the only ones who, together with the nationalist AfD MPs, were against legalisation.”
Ban was ineffective anyway
Polityka voices understanding for the move:
“While the decision to legalise cannabis may seem controversial, supporters make a compelling case for reform. First and foremost, the previous drug policy was ineffective: consumption and trafficking on the black market flourished, and the little social damage that the drug caused meant that prosecuting pot smokers was not a police priority compared with more serious offences. So the law was already partially ineffective.”
Merchandise it, don't ban it
Drug policy in France is ensnared in a repressive ideology, Libération complains:
“Legalisation - not decriminalisation, which has no impact on dealing - is the only legitimate way for the state to finally assume a virtuous regulatory role. Of course, one can limit oneself to saying 'drugs are bad' and pretend that the 'war on drugs' is the solution. But that's hardly responsible. The state would be far more useful if it took charge of national production, which must be of good quality and cheaper than the cannabis sold illegally, while at the same time running prevention campaigns for the youngest smokers. That would also be financially worthwhile.”
Why is vodka allowed but weed taboo?
In an article in Delfi, legal expert Skirmantas Bikelis criticises the double standards in his country:
“Compared to Lithuania, the Germans have walked with seven-league boots and followed things through to their logical conclusion. ... Now we will be able to observe from a distance what social consequences Germany's decision has. The first ones will soon become visible when over 100,000 criminal cases involving cannabis are reviewed in Germany. In Lithuania, on the other hand, even elderly people who want to relax by smoking cannabis will continue to be treated like criminals. Unless they choose to have a sip of vodka or a cigarette instead. Then our justice system would have no complaints.”