Addiction support experts have observed an increase in problematic cannabis use in recent decades and are calling for greater prevention in view of the partial legalization of smoking weed. As can be seen from the “Yearbook Addiction” published by the German Center for Addiction Issues (DHS) in Hamm on Wednesday (April 24), there has been an overall increasing trend in the use of the drug over the past three decades.
The proportion of people who have turned to outpatient addiction help because of problems with cannabis use has also almost tripled since the turn of the millennium. In the inpatient area, the experts registered a tenfold increase.
This makes disorders the second most common reason for seeking addiction help after cannabis consumption – after alcohol problems. Since 2013, outpatient addiction help centers in Germany have registered more than 25,000 such cannabis cases every year. In 2001 the total number was 3,700.
More and more Germans are smoking weed
Overall, the number of stoners has increased significantly in the past few decades: According to the report, in 2021 one in ten 18 to 59 year olds said they had consumed cannabis in the past twelve months – in 2012 it was five percent. Men consumed slightly more often than women and were more likely to rate their consumption as problematic. According to experts, this means that they have difficulty controlling consumption or are already noticing psychosocial consequences.
Since April 1st, the possession, private cultivation and consumption of certain amounts of cannabis for adults has been permitted in Germany. From June, so-called cultivation clubs will be allowed to grow cannabis under strict conditions under state control and distribute it to their members. In light of the change in the law, the DHS is calling for adequate funding for advisory and protective measures.
“There are good offers to prevent problematic cannabis use,” said Peter Raiser, managing director of the German Center for Addiction Issues. However, it is urgently necessary to “significantly expand and develop this further”. Instead, funding cuts are currently being observed in many places. “Especially in light of the change in the law, there must be no savings when it comes to financing addiction counseling,” he emphasized. The DHS is the umbrella organization for German addiction help and addiction self-help. In the annual yearbook, experts bring together figures and current studies on addiction and drug-related topics.
Germany remains a “high alcohol consumption country”
The report also deals with the widespread addictive substances tobacco and alcohol: According to the experts, around a third of adults in Germany smoke – and the trend is falling. In 2023, the average per capita consumption of cigarettes reached 764 cigarettes, the lowest value since reunification. Fewer and fewer young people are turning to cigarettes. However, studies indicate an increase in the use of e-cigarettes.
In addition, Germany remains a country with high alcohol consumption, the experts write. Beer, sparkling wine and schnapps consumption have declined slightly over the past two decades. With a consumption of more than 10 liters of pure alcohol among people older than 15, Germany is still two liters higher than the average consumption of the member countries of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).
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