A recent study shows that the number of Germans seeking outpatient addiction treatment for cannabis use disorders has declined since the German Cannabis Act (CanG), which legalized adult-use of cannabis, was passed in April 2024. Researchers from various academic and health institutions in Germany carried out the cannabis-use disorder (CUD), funded by the German Addiction Care Statistical Service. The findings of the study were published in the Journal Addiction.
Data were obtained from Germany’s National Monitoring System for Addiction-Related Treatment Demand, the German Addiction Statistical Service. We analyzed meta-aggregated datasets for two pre-legalization years (2022, 20 223) and one post- legalization year (April–December 2024), focusing on care episodes with a primary CUD diagnosis,” the researchers wrote about their methodology. The researchers calculated annual facility-level rates for admissions and treatment characteristics. Rate ratios with confidence intervals of 95% were used to assess year-to-year changes, while multiple testing was adjusted.
Cannabis addiction treatment is a lucrative industry, according to market analysts. Future Market Insights The cannabis treatment market is estimated to be worth USD 1,70 million in 2025. Unfortunately, cannabis addiction is not a voluntary treatment. Some people are forced into cannabis addiction treatment due to a number of factors, including a court order for them to do so for being caught with marijuana.
“CUD-related admissions per facility increased from 29.0 cases in 2022 to 30.0 cases in 2023 (RR = 1.03, 95% CI: 1.02–1.05) followed by a decline to 25.6 cases in 2024 (RR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.84–0.87). The number of female clients remained stable (≈5.5 cases per facility), whereas male admissions declined from 23.9 in 2023 to 19.8 in 2024 (RR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.81–0.84). Admissions among clients aged under 25 years decreased from 15.1 to 11.4 per facility between 2023 and 2024 (RR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.0.74–0.78). Similar downward trends have been observed for admissions of first-time clients, referrals by the legal system, as well as legal obligations to admissions. Researchers in Germany discovered.
The first data collected at the national level in Germany show a decrease in the number of outpatients seeking addiction treatment for cannabis use disorders following the German Cannabis Act. This may be an indication that the established methods of reaching the young and vulnerable populations are no longer effective. Researchers concluded.
The results of this study are based on an increasing amount of research conducted in Germany after legalization. A recent study by researchers at the Federal Institute of Public Health looked at twelve representative studies that were conducted from 2008 to 2025 and tracked the change in the 12-month prevalence of use of cannabis among teenagers (ages 12-17) as well as young adults (ages 18-25) living in Germany. The study’s results were published in this month’s issue of Journal of Health Monitoring.
“One-year after the partial legalisation cannabis, there were no immediate or significant changes in the 12-month cannabis prevalence among male or female adolescents or among young women compared to 2023.” Over the long term, there was a decrease in male adolescents’ cannabis use compared to 2019″ Researchers found.
EKOCAN releases its highly anticipated initial findings Late last year. The findings show that the economy is doing well.
Since 2019, the consumption of cannabis among youth has been declining. The statement stated that German Cannabis Business Association (Translated from German into English) at the moment. The BvCW views this as confirmation of increased education and prevention programs.
“The data do not show any significant increase in cannabis use among the general public.” Now, consumers can access safe products which improves the protection of their health. Drug checking and other low-barrier services, such as those that require no registration, also contribute to harm minimization. BvCW has also said.
The Federal Ministry of Health funds the EKOCAN project. EKOCAN concentrates on three evaluation areas:
- Protection of children and young people
- Health protection
- Cannabis related crime
“Cannabis-related offenses were halved – over 100,000 cases were saved annually, freeing up police and judicial resources to combat organized crime.” BvCW commented on the third area EKOCAN evaluated.
The data shows the first positive results of partial legalization. They confirm that education and prevention as well as secure supply sources are important factors in reducing the risks and pushing down the black markets. The next step is to reduce the bureaucracy within cultivation associations and implement scientific model projects for regulated distributorship. Michael Greif added.
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