A leading addiction expert tasked by the German government to evaluate the country’s new cannabis law has stated that alcohol poses a considerably greater societal problem than cannabis.
Jakob Manthey, presenting the initial interim report on the evaluation of the Consumption Cannabis Act (EKOCAN) on Monday, told the dts Nachrichtenagentur that alcohol “causes far more problems”. While advocating for stronger alcohol control policies, he emphasized that this represents a separate issue from the current evaluation.
The report, prepared by Manthey and a team of scientists, repeatedly draws parallels between cannabis consumption and tobacco use. The evaluation suggests a need for “harmonization” between the consumption prohibitions surrounding the two substances. Manthey specifically criticized the current situation allowing public tobacco use in settings like playgrounds while joint consumption remains restricted, labeling the disparity as a “significant inconsistency” and highlighting a need for action in creating a smoke-free environment. He noted that bystanders are significantly impacted by public tobacco consumption.
The Consumption Cannabis Act, which permits private cultivation and non-commercial cultivation within associations, came into effect in April 2024. The evaluation is intended to examine the law’s effects. Estimates indicate approximately 5.3 million adults in Germany consumed cannabis in 2024.