Germany's Cannabis Legalization Sparks 37% Surge in Psychiatric Cases
Two years after Germany's partial legalisation of cannabis, psychiatric hospitals along the Rhine and Ruhr rivers are reporting a sharp rise in related cases. A new study shows cannabis-induced disorders surged by 37 percent in just one year, climbing from 763 to 1,047 incidents. Experts now warn of long-term health consequences, particularly for younger users. The study, led by psychiatry professors Udo Bonnet and Georg Juckel, will soon appear in the German Medical Journal. It highlights a 40 percent jump in cannabis-related psychoses, a trend linked to the drug's increased availability since legalisation in April 2024. Dr. Bodo Lieb, chief physician for addiction disorders at LVR Clinic Langenfeld, attributes the spike to easier access, stressing that neurobiological harm can be severe, especially for those under 25 whose brains are still developing.
Cannabis cultivation associations, permitted since July 2024, have faced calls for looser regulations. Sebastian Brebeck of Wuppertal's *Wubatz* association acknowledges the need for monitoring but argues it is too soon to judge the law's full impact. He also points to benefits, such as reducing criminal involvement in marijuana distribution. Despite the rise in disorders, precise data on the number of registered cannabis clubs remains unavailable. Experts like Dr. Lieb fear the trend could lead to a heavier long-term disease burden across Germany.
The study underscores a clear rise in cannabis-related health issues since legalisation. With consumption among young adults raising particular concern, researchers and clinicians are urging closer observation of the law's effects. The findings will be published in full in the coming weeks.
