Cannabis-Legalisierung in Deutschland
Ein paar Anmerkungen zu ausgewählten Eckpunkten des geplanten Regelwerks aus internationaler wissenschaftlicher Perspektive
Abstract
Zusammenfassung:Zielsetzung: Die deutsche Bundesregierung hat beschlossen, den nicht-medizinischen Cannabis-Gebrauch und -Vertrieb zu legalisieren, und Kernpunkte des vorgesehenen Regelwerks vorgelegt. Einige dieser Kernpunkte werden aus der Sicht internationaler Erfahrungen und wissenschaftlicher Evidenz zur Legalisierung – insbesondere mit Blick auf Massnahmen und Ziele öffentlicher Gesundheit – eingeschätzt und kommentiert. Methodik: Selektive Zusammenfassung und policy-analytische Anwendung wissenschaftlicher Evidenz. Ergebnisse: Ein erheblicher Anteil von Cannabis-bezogenen Gesundheitsproblemen hängt mit dem Konsum von Hochpotenz- (THC) Produkten zusammen; allerdings würden kategorische THC-Grenzwerte für legal verfügbares Cannabis diese im Gesamten wahrscheinlich nicht reduzieren sondern primär Hochrisiko-Konsumenten weiter in der Illegalität belassen. Die Mindestalter-Grenze von 18 Jahren für legales Cannabis macht primär politischen Sinn und repräsentiert nicht unbedingt optimalen Gesundheits- oder sozialen Schutz für junge Konsumenten; allerdings wird der Cannabis-Konsum bei Minderjährigen wahrscheinlich weiter hoch blieben. Eine substanz-übergreifende, gesundheits-orientierte Angleichung mit den Gesetzesregelungen für andere Substanzen (z. B. Alkohol) wäre sinnvoll. Das Fahren unter Cannabis-Einfluss ist relativ häufig, und kann zu Verletzungs- und Todesfällen, und damit erheblicher Gesundheitsbelastung führen; seine Kontrolle braucht gezielte Aufklärungs- und Abschreckungs-Maßnahmen. Cannabis-Legalisierung ist mit einschlägigen internationalen (z. B. UN) Konventionen generell schwierig zu vereinbaren, sollte aber dazu genutzt werden, diese grundsätzlich auf der Basis von Prinzipien des Gesundheitsschutzes zu erneuern. Schlussfolgerungen: Für die Cannabis-Legalisierung in Deutschland gibt es kein perfektes Regelwerk; einige Kern-Ziele werden nur über Kompromiss-Ansätze zu erreichen sein, die im Zweifelsfall angepasst werden müssen. Wenn implementiert, wird Deutschland wichtige Daten zur Cannabis-Legalisierung als Politik-Option bieten können, wozu ein systematisches und umfassendes Prozess- und Ergebnis-Monitoring durchgeführt werden muss.
Abstract:Objective: Germany´s federal government has decided to legalize the non-medical use and supply of cannabis, and presented core elements of the proposed regulation framework. Select core regulatory details are being assessed and commented on from a viewpoint of international scientific evidence and experiences in regard to cannabis legalization, with a principal focus on efforts and objectives of public health. Methods: Select summary and policy-analytical application of scientific evidence. Results: A substantial proportion of cannabis-related health problems is associated with the use of high-potency (THC) products; however, categorical THC-limits for legally available cannabis would overall be unlikely to reduce the total of these adverse outcomes, but rather retain many high-risk users involved in illegal supply systems. The minimum legal age of 18 years for legal cannabis appears to primarily reflect political considerations, and does not necessarily reflect optimal health or social protection efforts for young users; notwithstanding, cannabis use among youth will likely remain high. A cross-substance, public-health-oriented integration of regulatory restrictions with those for other substances (e. g., alcohol) would make sense. Driving under cannabis impairment is relatively common, and increases the risk for related injury and death, and consequentially results in substantial burden of disease; its control requires targeted education and deterrence measures. Cannabis legalization is generally difficult to reconcile with seminal international (e. g., UN) conventions; rather, it should be used as impetus to advocate for fundamental reforms of these treaties on the basis of public health principles and their protection. Conclusions: There are no golden recipes for the regulations for cannabis legalization in Germany; some of its core objectives will only be achievable by way of compromise approaches, which may need to be adjusted depending on outcomes experienced. Once implemented, Germany will be able to offer valuable data on cannabis legalization as a policy option, for which systematic and comprehensive process and outcome monitoring will need to be conducted.
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