German study finds legal cannabis harms far outweigh the benefits

Cannabis supporters march with mock joints, with one reading 'Legalisation' at the annual Hemp Parade on August 12, 2023, in Berlin, Germany, prior to the legalisation of cannabis in the country in 2024. Picture: Omer Messinger/Getty 

The projected health damage from cannabis legalisation in Germany is estimated to be almost 20 times greater than any health benefits, according to new research.

The study says policymakers need to strike “a careful balance” in regulation, which could include potency control, taxation to discourage overuse, and public health campaigns.