It has also been scientifically proven that 15 percent of regular marijuana users become drug addicts, which the German economy cannot handle either. The Germans’ original draft law would have been submitted in April last year, which Brussels prevented – emphasized Kristóf Téglásy, who says that it is surprising because they are almost the most influential country. The government originally planned to create state-licensed cannabis shops, which contradicted all international conventions.
They can run cannabis clubs
So-called cannabis clubs operating on a non-commercial basis can be established from July 1, but they can only supply their members with their product, in a total amount of 50 grams per person per month. As a private individual, every German citizen over the age of 18 can possess a maximum of 25 grams of cannabis for personal consumption, as well as grow three marijuana plants in his home, also exclusively for personal consumption, and in a maximum amount of 50 grams.
“In the justification of the parliamentary debate, the arguments were given that it will reduce the burden on the judiciary, the burden on the healthcare system, and it will have a positive effect on drug use. These arguments – based on examples of other legalization attempts – are clearly impractical and not justified by practice,” responded the strategy director.
According to Kristóf Téglásy, the German parliament expected black trade to decline from this law. According to him, while legally grown cannabis can have a maximum THC content of 15 percent, black market marijuana can have a THC content of up to 25-28 percent, but since there are no additional costs on the black market, consumers can get this higher THC content cheaper. for product.
It is impossible for the authorities to check if the Germans have cannabis on the street, whether they bought it as a club member or from the black market. With the increase in demand, the black market is not suppressed, but on the contrary: it is increased.
The use of cannabis is still prohibited in public areas, in schools and sports facilities, as well as within a 100-meter radius of them. In case of legalization of medical marijuana, it is important to clarify what medical marijuana is – Kristóf Téglásy assessed that medical marijuana was recently introduced in Ukraine. After the introduction, Gábor Zacher, a toxicologist-addictologist, responded in an interview that “it would be necessary to legalize the consumption of medical marijuana in Hungary as well”. According to the specialist, the active ingredients of Indian hemp have a positive effect on certain diseases.
Today, according to type A evidence – the highest evidence in medicine that is scientifically supported – there is not one disease where the active ingredients in Indian hemp (either in natural form or artificially produced) have a clear positive effect on certain diseases.
Kristóf Téglásy emphasized that although marijuana has components that have a positive effect, for example in pain relief in terminally ill patients – in such situations it can be positive, but only some components. “There is no such thing as medical marijuana or medical cannabis, certain ingredients do have a positive effect, but if we legalize marijuana or cannabis itself, we legalize all the other ingredients that do far more harm than good.” As an example, he mentioned, “there is something that is made up of ten different things, and one of them is good and nine are bad, but we will not combine the whole thing, we will try to extract that one good thing from it and utilize it, as it happens in the pharmaceutical industry”.
Decriminalization is a mistake
Decriminalization is a mistake, the expert emphasized. They are fighting to suppress drug-related crimes in Hungary. In our country, there is zero tolerance, i.e. all actions related to drugs are prohibited, including the acquisition, possession, transfer, distribution and trade of drugs. The law provides for the latter
whoever offers, delivers, markets, or trades in drugs shall be punished with imprisonment from two to eight years for a crime.
And if the person commits the punishment in a criminal association, as an official or a person performing a public duty, using that person, or in a facility of the Hungarian Defense Forces, law enforcement agencies or the National Tax and Customs Office, they can be sentenced to up to ten years.
The range of substances classified as narcotic drugs is listed in various laws, among the interpretative provisions of the Criminal Code, the legal sources determine the list of substances classified as narcotic drugs. In criminal proceedings, the court determines who qualifies as an addict based on the expert opinion of a forensic psychiatrist. Kristóf Téglásy evaluated the fact that fewer and fewer people go to prison for drug-related crimes as a positive. The reason for this is that diversion is successful, which is possible when someone commits a minor drug-related crime with a small amount of drugs or, in the case of a drug addict, participates in continuous treatment for at least six months.
The only solution is to strengthen prevention
– emphasized the expert. Kristóf Téglásy said that the three pillars of the National Anti-Drug Strategy, which is in force in Hungary until 2020 and is still in force today, must be taken into account. This is the priority of prevention, full recovery-oriented treatment of those who may have slipped into this problem, and zero tolerance towards all traders and all people who live from it.
It is important to give priority to all three legs, the dealers have to take everything, they have to be hit hard. People who just try them out should be helped, young people and children should be provided with relevant information, for example
– he pointed out, namely with correct information broadcast on his channels.
(Cover photo: A rally participant holds an oversized joint. Starting April 1, 2024, adults 18 and older will be able to possess 25 grams in public places. Photo: Sebastian Willnow / picture alliance / Getty Images)
