The inhibition threshold for consuming cannabis is lower with the new law. Image: Stocksy
One point of criticism of the new cannabis law: There is not enough prevention and educational work. However, this also applies to high-risk substances that were never banned.
“Everyone is taking white Red Bull, putting coffee cream in it and thinking it’s the tastiest thing they’ve ever drunk,” says Fabi in one of his videos on Tiktok as he pours a sky-blue liquid into a plastic cup. On Tiktok, Fabi is called “iamzuckerpuppe” and has 2.2 million followers. In countless short videos on social media, young people like him discuss the best preparation and the tastiest types of energy drinks. The bright cans filled with sweet, caffeinated liquid are not only on supermarket and kiosk shelves, but increasingly also in children’s rooms.
According to the European Food Safety Authority, 68 percent of German young people consume energy drinks. The colorful designs look harmless, but according to experts, canned drinks can lead to cardiac arrhythmias, palpitations, circulatory collapse and high blood pressure when consumed in excess and especially in combination with exercise or alcohol. According to German consumer advice centers, a can of an energy drink usually exceeds the maximum amount of 150 milligrams of caffeine recommended for minors.