Drugs Unit publishes the results of a representative survey of the Frankfurt population on the subject of cannabis
The background to the survey are the far-reaching changes planned by the Federal Government in relation to dealing with cannabis for recreational use. In the Federal Government's key issues paper from April, decriminalization is planned as the first step. Self-cultivation and membership in cultivation associations should be made possible. A first bill for this is now available. The second step provides for the pilot testing of a commercial supply chain for recreational cannabis in selected regions. The city of Frankfurt has already announced that it will apply together with the city of Offenbach as a model region.
"Many questions about the design of the new regulations are still open," emphasizes Dr. Artur Schroers, head of the drug department. “But regardless of the specific implementation, the coming changes will have an impact on a big city like Frankfurt am Main. That's why it was important to us to get reliable data about the attitudes, expectations and needs of the urban population when it comes to cannabis."
The study was actually supposed to be published in June. The appointment was delayed due to an attempt to manipulate the study results. 350 very elaborately forged questionnaires were sent in forged return envelopes to the evaluating Institute for Interdisciplinary Addiction and Drug Research (ISD) in Hamburg. Through an extensive review of all questionnaires received, all forgeries were unequivocally tracked down and removed from the data set.
High approval ratings for legalization
10,000 randomly selected adults in Frankfurt were written to. There was an option to reply by post and to participate online. The net response rate was 27.3 percent. This is a good value for a postal survey of this type. Schroers is pleased about this: "The topic of cannabis is obviously of great interest to the city population."
The majority of Frankfurt residents are in favor of the legalization of cannabis: 65.8 percent of those surveyed are unreservedly or somewhat in favor of the controlled sale of cannabis to adults for recreational purposes. This applies slightly more to men (70.6 percent) than to women (60.5 percent). Approval also increases with the level of educational qualifications. 56.1 percent of those surveyed without a school-leaving certificate or with a secondary school certificate are more or less in favor of legalization, 62.2 percent of respondents with a secondary school leaving certificate and 70.1 percent of respondents with a (technical) high school diploma. Significant differences are also visible in terms of age: the younger respondents tend to agree more strongly: while among the 25 to 34-year-olds around three out of four respondents (78,
Help system meets with high acceptance, but little awareness
The assessments of those surveyed about the help system are of great importance to Schroers. 87.6 percent of those surveyed would definitely or probably recommend that a person in their friend or family circle with problematic cannabis use seek out support services. And as many as 92.9 percent would definitely or probably use drug and addiction counseling centers for themselves or recommend them to another person if they had a problem with cannabis use. Schroers concludes: "The citizens of Frankfurt trust the existing help system and in particular the drug and addiction counseling centers."
However, the high level of acceptance of the help system contrasts with the low level of awareness: More than half of those surveyed (54.9 percent) definitely or probably do not know where they could get help for themselves or other people with problematic cannabis use in Frankfurt. This applies above all to people with little formal education: two out of three respondents (63.8 percent) with no school qualifications or with a secondary school certificate state that they definitely or probably do not know where to turn in Frankfurt if they have problematic cannabis use. For the head of the drug department, this means: "The level of awareness of the help offers must be improved."
Interestingly, almost two out of three people (63.6 percent) also say they definitely or probably want to seek advice from a cannabis retail outlet as a source of information when it comes to legalization. The groups that are particularly affected are even more affected, such as people who have used cannabis in the last 30 days, young adults up to the age of 25 and people who, if legalized, would use cannabis for the first time or for the first time in a long time. For Schroers, this data underlines the high demands that would have to be placed on dispensaries in terms of networking with the drug and addiction support system and the qualification of the staff.
Prevention and the protection of young people are important, as are the needs of consumers
. "I'm glad that I'm obviously not the only one with this in Frankfurt." A clear majority of 91.3 percent of those surveyed consider school prevention of the risks of cannabis use from grade 7 to be very or somewhat sensible if cannabis is legalized. The proportion (91 percent) of people who would like further training for general practitioners is almost as high. And a very large majority is also in favor of cannabis being sold only to adults: 90.6 percent agree completely or somewhat with this proposed regulation.
Numerous goals of legalization, such as pushing back the black market or reducing health damage from contaminated cannabis, can only be achieved if consumers who have previously obtained cannabis illegally are won over to a legal market. Many details of previous considerations, in particular home cultivation, cannabis social clubs and specialized cannabis sales outlets, met with high approval ratings from this group of people. On the other hand, a majority (53.9 percent) with cannabis consumption in the last 30 days (absolutely or rather) rejects a THC upper limit. Schroers concludes: "A blanket THC upper limit does not seem sensible against the background of these considerations."
No massive increase in cannabis use expected
A frequently expressed concern regarding cannabis legalization relates to a resulting massive increase in consumption ("dam burst scenario"). The data presented here do not suggest such a dramatic increase. Three out of four respondents would not change their previous consumption behavior: 61 percent stated that they would not want to continue consuming cannabis even after legalization. 11.7 percent would maintain their previous cannabis use. 13.5 percent cannot yet assess whether they will change their behavior. Almost as many respondents would use cannabis for the first time (3.6 percent) or again after a long period without using it (8.2 percent). 1.4 percent of those surveyed stated that they were consuming more cannabis than before. At least 0.6 percent think it will be less. This self-assessment of the Frankfurt population corresponds to empirical data from countries that have already gained experience with cannabis legalization. Reviews suggest a rather moderate increase in consumption among adults in the US and Canada.
For the head of the drug unit, it is important to also look at the positive effects of decriminalization and legalization. Above all, he is convinced that those who are already using it would be affected by a number of improvements: “They no longer have to fear prosecution. With quality-assured products, they are less exposed to health risks. And they no longer necessarily come into contact with the black market.”
Schroers hopes that legalization will also remove the taboo on the subject: “This will allow more open and honest communication about cannabis. This will prove helpful both for prevention among young people and for health protection.”
The complete final report as well as a short version of it are available on the homepage of the drug departmentdrug-referat.stadt-frankfurt.deinternal linkavailable for download and are also attached to this announcement.
https://frankfurt.de/de-de/aktuelle-meldung/meldungen/frankfurter-cannabis-studie/