Cannabis consumption in the Ostalbkreis: No warning signs despite legalization!

Cannabis consumption in the Ostalbkreis: No warning signs despite legalization!

In Germany, legal consumption of cannabis has been permitted under certain conditions since April 1, 2024. This partial legalization has also sparked a profound debate about consumption and the potential risks. Opponents of legalization feared that an increase in cannabis use could lead to an increase in abusive use. But what is the reality in the Ostalbkreis?

Christopher Dedner, chief physician of the addiction therapy clinic at the ZfP Klinikum Schloß Winnenden, and Tobias Braun, officer for addiction prevention at the Ostalbkreis district office, reported on developments in consumer behavior. They were surprised to find that despite a slight increase in the consumption of cannabis products, no significant increase in cannabis consumption was observed in the region - and not immediately since the law came into force. After all, the proportion of people seeking help who turned to counseling centers for cannabis addiction problems fell from 14.9% in 2023 to 11.01%. Experts like Dedner interpret this as a result of the ongoing social debate about legalization, not as a result of the change in the law.

Changes in consumer behavior

Public interest in cannabis has increased, while demand for addiction counseling has remained stable. Instead, the proportion of clients with alcohol-related problems was 40.8%. Dedner also raises heightened concerns about the emergence of “spurious diagnoses” online, which can lead to questionable cannabis prescriptions. The discussion about consumption also takes into account the age limit, which the chief physician considers to be too low, as brain development is not completed until the age of 25, which could potentially have negative effects of consumption on young adults.

In order to take preventative measures, the Ostalbkreis addiction counseling center offers special programs for young people who show signs of abusive consumption. These include the early intervention offer BAST I, a group offer with information and advice sessions, as well as a prevention kit for schools that addresses the risks of cannabis consumption.

Contact points for support

There are various contact points in the Ostalbkreis that offer support for those affected and their relatives. These counseling centers are an important help because addiction is an illness that can affect anyone - regardless of age and social status. Prevention, outpatient rehabilitation and special support for family members of those affected are offered.

• Beratung: Kostenfreie und anonyme Beratung für suchtkranke und suchtgefährdete Personen.
• Entgiftung/Motivation: Behandlungsmöglichkeiten im Haus der Gesundheit in Schwäbisch Gmünd, sowohl stationär als auch ambulant.
• Therapie: Möglichkeiten zur ambulanten Rehabilitation nach der Entgiftung.
• Selbsthilfe: Selbsthilfegruppen für Betroffene werden ebenfalls angeboten.

In summary, despite the legalization of cannabis in the Ostalbkreis, it does not act as a gateway drug to harder substances. The fear of a significant increase in abusive consumption seems unfounded, while addiction counseling remains an indispensable element in dealing with addiction problems. Developments in the region show that targeted prevention and open discussions about consumption are necessary to overcome social challenges.