Germany is home to a thriving adult-use and medical cannabis community, which has been true for several years. By many measures, the European country is the most exciting place for cannabis policy modernization and industry.

Researchers in Germany recently published the results of the Epidemiological Survey of Substance Use (ESA) 2024, which examined the use of various substances in the European country, including cannabis use. The researchers’ findings were published in the German Medical Journal.

“The data basis is the Epidemiological Survey of Substance Abuse (ESA) 2024 (n = 7,534, 18–64 years). Prevalence values ​​for the consumption of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, illegal drugs and medications, as well as data on dependence and abuse according to DSM-IV criteria, were collected and extrapolated to the German resident population aged 18–64 years (N = 51,480,168 persons).” the researchers wrote about their methodology.

“Alcohol was the most frequently used substance, with a 30-day prevalence of 68.6% (35.3 million), followed by non-opioid analgesics (31.5%) and conventional tobacco products (21.8%). Cannabis was used by 9.8% (5.1 million) in the past 12 months.” the researchers found.

Cannabis opponents were seemingly quick to point out that the reported rate of cannabis use was greater in this survey data than it was in the past. However, the data is very much worth putting into proper context. For starters, as the researchers pointed out, cannabis usage rates in Germany were far lower than those of alcohol, “non-opioid analgesics,” and tobacco.

Furthermore, given that cannabis use was prohibited in years past and people risked being subjected to prosecution via Germany’s criminal justice system for admitting to cannabis use, any rise in reported cannabis use may be the result of people finally being willing to admit to such activity now that it is legal. With that in mind, the reported motivation behind why people consume cannabis in Germany is likely more useful to policymakers and researchers compared to generalized reported consumption usage rates.

“According to the ESA, roughly one in ten adults in Germany used cannabis last year, largely for self-medication: 87.6 percent of regular users stated that they primarily use cannabis to reduce stress and to relax; 58.3 percent want to improve their sleep; and 32.3 percent believe they can treat anxiety and depression with cannabis.” stated Frankfurt-based Bloomwell Group in a press release obtained by the International Cannabis Business Conference. Bloomwell collaborates with nearly 50 doctors in Germany and more than ten partner pharmacies.

“The ESA results show that the Cannabis Act (CanG) has not led to a statistically significant increase in cannabis consumption in Germany. However, they reveal a dangerous trend that would be drastically exacerbated by the current draft legislation from the Federal Minister of Health: people with medical needs are using cannabis from illicit and home-grown cannabis instead of obtaining safe, tested medical cannabis from a pharmacy with a doctor’s prescription. Furthermore, they lack access to competent support from doctors and pharmacists.” states Dr. Julian Wichmann, Co-Founder and CEO of Bloomwell.

“Given the increasing acceptance of medicinal cannabis and its lower side effect profile compared to demonstrably harmful or addictive stronger medications like opioids, legislators should actually be promoting access to cannabis therapy. After all, 3.2 million people in Germany regularly take an antidepressant, and two million take an opioid painkiller. In Germany alone, 2.9 million people misuse painkillers. Studies show that patients can significantly reduce their opioid use through cannabis therapy.” Dr. Wichmann added.

“The real question, therefore, is how to enable more people to access medically supervised cannabis therapy, instead of trying to prevent it due to ideological reservations and misinformation. Especially since the ESA has once again failed to confirm alleged misuse of medical cannabis. This report, commissioned by the Ministry itself, has once again undermined the Ministry’s suspicion of misuse.” he also stated.

“Experts emphasize that legalization has so far shown only minimal effects on consumption and that questions remain regarding self-medication and alternative risk minimization measures. The representativeness of the data is also limited, as certain groups, such as those with severe addiction, are inadequately represented. Overall, there are indications of increasing cannabis use among adults, while consumption among young people may be declining.” stated the German Cannabis Business Association in its recent newsletter regarding the survey’s results.