Part of the historic adult-use legalization measure that was implemented in Germany in April 2024 involves the ongoing evaluation of the public policy modernization’s impact on the nation’s society. The EKOCAN research project, which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG), focuses on three areas of evaluation:
- Child and youth protection
- General health protection
- Cannabis-related crime
The ECOCAN project is monitored by a board with representation from “science, medicine, psychosocial care, law enforcement, the judiciary, consumers, and the relevant federal ministries.” The research project recently published its highly anticipated initial findings. By many measures, the findings demonstrate that things are going well from the perspective of the three areas of evaluation listed above.
“First-time cannabis use among young people is declining for the first time since 2002, and consumption among young people has continued to decline since 2019.” states the German Cannabis Business Association (translated from German to English). “The BvCW sees this as confirmation of the effectiveness of the increased educational and prevention programs.”
“The data show no significant increase in cannabis consumption among the general population. Consumers can now access safe products, which strengthens health protection. In addition, low-threshold services such as drug checking also contribute to harm reduction.” BvCW also states.
“Cannabis-related offenses were halved – over 100,000 cases were saved annually, freeing up police and judicial resources to combat organized crime.” BvCW wrote in its recent newsletter regarding the third area of EKOCAN’s evaluation.
“As expected, the first figures now show, with the Cannabis Act, the police and the judiciary will be relieved of thousands of criminal proceedings. Thousands of people will no longer be criminalized for their consumption behavior.” the organization Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP) wrote in a public statement regarding EKOCAN’s findings.
“The figures presented point in the right direction. LEAP therefore calls on all political leaders not to repeat old prejudices and stereotypical claims, but to use the evaluation to develop fact-based and progressive solutions for a progressive drug policy of the 21st century.” LEAP also wrote.
“The intensive scientific monitoring offers a historic opportunity to measure the effects of decriminalization. The findings so far are preliminary—the evaluation by April 2028 is essential.” said Dirk Heitepriem, President of the BvCW.
EKOCAN’s positive findings come at a time when cannabis opponents in Germany’s government continue to work to hinder the progress of the nation’s cultivation association sector. The failure to approve regional adult-use cannabis commerce pilot projects is an additional example of cannabis opponents in Germany’s government getting in the way of progress.
Yet, despite the ongoing efforts to impede progress, cannabis legalization is still succeeding in Germany, as evidenced by EKOCAN’s initial findings. Clearly, an exponential expansion of the number of cultivation associations is warranted at this point, as is the launch of regional pilot trials for adult-use cannabis commerce.
“The data show the first positive effects of partial legalization. They confirm that education, prevention, and secure sources of supply are key factors in reducing risks and pushing back the black market. Next, we need to reduce the bureaucracy of cultivation associations and establish scientific model projects for regulated distribution.” Michael Greif, Managing Director of the BvCW, stated.
“The CDU/CSU would prefer to immediately reverse the CanG. However, the initial results of the evaluation do not confirm the horror scenarios that conservative politicians, police unions, and other opponents of the reform had painted.” the German Hemp Association stated in a press release (translated from German to English).
“It was right and long overdue to finally end the mass prosecution of ordinary cannabis users. There is no evidence of significant negative effects. Now it is time to expand legal supply channels to ensure greater consumer protection and further curb the black market,” said DHV spokesman Georg Wurth.
“We call on the federal government to finally approve the first cannabis model projects with which, for example, Frankfurt, Hanover and several Berlin districts want to scientifically test the sale of cannabis in specialist shops,” Mr. Wurth added.
Share article
