Between Freedom and Responsibility: New Findings on Cannabis Use

The partial legalisation of cannabis in several EU countries has moved a substance once used in secret into the mainstream of society. But with this new freedom comes greater responsibility: the 2025 Drug Report estimates that around 1.5 % of European adults (some 4.3 million people) smoke cannabis almost every day. This group is the most affected by health problems: cannabis use can cause chronic respiratory complaints, dependence and psychotic symptoms – and the risks increase with the potency of the product and an early start of use.

Legalisation and normalisation

With laws such as Germany's Cannabis Act, adults have been allowed since 2024 to possess small amounts and to set up cultivation associations. Malta, Luxembourg and Germany permit home growing under certain conditions, while the Netherlands is launching a state-controlled supply chain trial. As a result, cannabis has become part of society: according to one survey, around 4.6 % of Germans aged 14 and over used cannabis in 2023 – roughly 3.8 million people. Nevertheless, experts urge caution: even occasional use is not risk-free, and intensive, sustained use in adolescence is particularly problematic.

Young brains at risk

The biggest risk factor is age: the brain continues to develop until the age of 25. Use during this phase can impair the maturation of key brain regions and cause long-term deficits in memory and attention. A long-term study from New Zealand showed that regular users lost up to eight IQ points between the ages of 13 and 38 – and that the loss only normalised in those who stopped smoking cannabis as adults. In the short term, one joint can put as much strain on the lungs as several cigarettes. Last but not least, cannabis is addictive: in 2017, more than 8,000 minors in Germany were treated for cannabis dependence.

Potent products and synthetic cannabinoids

The range of products has expanded. On the illegal market, highly potent extracts and edibles are sold that cause acute poisonings in European emergency departments. Even riskier are new semi-synthetic cannabinoids such as hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), HHC-P or THCP. They are derived from CBD and were poorly regulated for a long time. The Drug Report recorded more than 170 enquiries about HHC to the Czech poison information centre, many of them involving young people who had eaten gummy bears laced with synthetic cannabinoids. In Hungary, a local outbreak of 30 poisonings caused by such sweets occurred in 2024. HHC is now banned in at least 22 EU countries, and in 2025 the UN placed the substance under the same rules as THC.

Treatment and prevention

There is currently no approved medication for cannabis dependence. Standard treatment consists of psychosocial methods such as cognitive behavioural therapy or motivational interviewing. Digital programmes and e-health services can offer low-threshold help, but their benefit remains disputed. To reduce risks, the Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines recommend delaying the start of use until after puberty, using only rarely, avoiding high-potency THC products and not smoking. Young people, pregnant women, older people and people with pre-existing mental health conditions are particularly at risk.

Experiences from abroad

Comparative data from other countries offer a cautious outlook. An analysis of more than 1.4 million US school students found that the likelihood of regular cannabis use fell by nine per cent after legalisation in the respective states. In Portugal, where possession of small amounts of all drugs has been decriminalised since 2001, the proportion of young cannabis users remained below the European average and the police were able to focus on major drug offences. These examples show that regulation does not necessarily lead to more consumption – but they underline the importance of prevention, youth protection and a strong public health strategy.

The legalisation of cannabis opens up both opportunities and dangers. Research suggests that a conscious, moderate approach and a clear legal framework are needed to minimise the risks. Despite its social normalisation, cannabis is still no harmless indulgence – young people in particular who use too early and too often are putting their mental and physical health at risk.