By Gunnar Schupelius
The legalization of the drug must be accompanied by a drastic taboo for adolescents. But there are no convincing plans for this, says Gunnar Schupelius.
The use of cannabis is to be legalized from 2024. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) announced this on Wednesday. A corresponding law is being drafted for this purpose.
The plan is to no longer classify the drug tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in hemp as a narcotic. The possession of cannabis should generally not be punished.
However, the procurement is regulated: In special shops with a license and also in pharmacies, adults can then buy up to 30 grams per purchase.
The minister argued that “decriminalizing” the drug would, first, dry up the black market. Secondly, the controlled delivery means that contaminated substances no longer reach the consumer, so increased health protection is possible. Thirdly, the protection of minors could be improved.
This is questionable, however, because if possession of THC were not punishable, minors would not have to fear prosecution if they were in possession of the drug. Then the inhibition threshold for the consumption of cannabis would fall again significantly, the protection of minors would not be improved but relaxed.
It’s not about harmless substances, the doctors agree. For example, on September 17, the Brandenburg Medical Association demanded in a resolution that the Bundestag should pay attention to the protection of minors when legalizing cannabis.
Because there is “no doubt that children, adolescents and young adults are particularly at risk of developing long-term damage from cannabis”.
The drug leads to various illnesses, above all to psychoses, considerable concentration and learning difficulties and, in the long term, to dependency.
The minister himself puts on record how dangerous cannabis is for adolescents: “Because of the increased risk of cannabis-related brain damage in adolescence,” he says, a lower THC upper limit should be prescribed for consumers aged 18 to 21.
The age limits of 18 years for legal procurement and 21 years for the reduced THC concentration are of course not based on any medical knowledge. They have drawn hands-free along the age of consent and youth protection laws in general.
It’s arguable whether cannabis should be legalized, but that’s where the fun ends. And the suspicion arises that the consumption of the drug by young people is accepted with a wink.
It’s very similar with alcohol. The excessive consumption of even high-proof drinks at an age when one is not allowed to buy these drinks is well known and tolerated. Not only the beer on the way to the party, but also the Jägermeister in hand does not cause offense. That’s the problem.
Legalization must be accompanied by a tough ban on young people. Otherwise the shot will backfire.
Is Gunnar Schupelius right? Call: 030/2591 73153 or email: [email protected]