Cannabis consumption in the Innviertel: Change by German laws hardly noticeable!

Cannabis consumption in the Innviertel: Change by German laws hardly noticeable!

On April 1, 2024, the Consumer Cannabis Act came into force in Germany, which allows up to 25 grams of cannabis for people over the age of 18. Despite this legal change, the import of cannabis from abroad, also for your own use, remains a criminal offense, as reported by Zoll.de . This is accompanied by the warning of the customs that consumers should take care of the possible criminal consequences.

In Austria, on the other hand, the handling of cannabis remains strictly regulated: the import, possession and the transfer are prohibited without exception. Experts of the addiction advice in the Innviertel find that legalization in Germany has so far had little effect on drug use in the region. Herbert Dutter-Kohlhofer explains that nothing has changed in the Innviertel and the fears about more drug drivers could not be confirmed near the border, so ooe.orf.at .

status of drug use

According to a report by the Ministry of Health, 6 to 8 percent of young people in Austria regularly consume cannabis, a number that has remained constant. Thomas Labacher from Pro Mente emphasizes that the strict provisions in Germany, which only allow cannabis acquisition in special clubs and for people over the age of 18, are probably ensuring that Austrians have little incentive to stock up on the drug in Germany. The high availability of cannabis in Upper Austria and the strict penalties for drug smuggling also mean that consumers are less at risk when Zoll.de notes.