At the moment, there are also questions about how the police will be able to distinguish a consumer from a dealer if a person can carry up to 25 grams of cannabis.
Groups such as the Standing Committee of Physicians of Europe (CPME) have expressed concern that decriminalization and, by extension, marijuana smoking could lead to addiction and negative mental health effects.
The new regulations “will increase use and health-related harm, especially among young people,” says CPME Vice President Ray Walley.
Given that under-18s cannot take advantage of the new laws, it is believed that many young people will still turn to drug dealers on the black market.
Germany is one of the countries where there have been long discussions about the pros and cons of decriminalizing marijuana.
A survey by the Berlin government in 2021 found that 10.7% of men and 6.8% of women had used marijuana at least once in the past 12 months, most often in the 18-24 age group.
According to Maastricht University’s assistant professor of criminal law and criminology, Dr. According to Robin Hoffman, no approach has yet been devised that is “truly successful” in destroying the black market or solving youth problems.
Curbing and eradicating the black market is a goal that is “not fully achieved” even in countries that have decriminalized several drugs, such as Canada or Uruguay.
“It’s a long process,” says Hoffman, “a marathon, not a sprint.”
Germany’s road to partial decriminalization has also been long.
The proposal first appeared in 2021, when the three ruling parties concluded their coalition agreement.
Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party has already vowed to reverse the changes if it wins the next election.
Marcel Richel admits that the changes he has long campaigned for may not last even a decade.
“We have maybe two years and then it will be over.”
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