Despite being perceived as a low-risk form of consumption, edibles are banned under German cannabis law, mainly due to concerns about the protection of minors. In Switzerland, however, there are pilot trials in which edibles are given to test subjects. What are the benefits and risks of regulating edibles?
Main reasons for the exclusion of cannabis food
In a study commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG), it identified a tension between two main objectives of the planned cannabis reform: drying up the black market and protecting minors. This study suggests that the inclusion of edibles in legalization could potentially jeopardize the protection of minors. The decision not to include edible cannabis in the German Consumer Cannabis Act is due in particular to safety and youth protection concerns.
International experience and safety concerns
Experience from Canada and the USA shows that the introduction of edibles has led to an increase in unintentional intoxication and intoxication among children under the age of ten. In Canada, several recommendations were therefore made in the final report of the expert panel reviewing the Cannabis Act in order to prevent such incidents.
Different legal framework conditions
While edibles are not covered by the Consumer Cannabis Act in Germany, there are pilot trials in Switzerland in which THC-containing foods are given to test subjects. However, THC is generally considered a novel food within the meaning of the EU’s Novelfood catalog. So how is it possible that THC edibles can be sold in pilot trials? This is possible because the pilot trials have been regulated by law in accordance with the Novel Food Regulation and legally regulate a special area.
Calls for the regulations to be relaxed
Despite the concerns and the exclusion in the German CanG, there are still discussions and demands that edibles can also be sold in legal markets. For example, the cannabis lobby Releaf from Malta argues that the sale of edibles containing THC in harm reduction facilities would not violate European law.
How can the tension be resolved?
International experience has shown that the sale of edibles harbors potential risks. It is imperative that these risks are reduced with technical solutions (child-proof packaging) and education. Only in this way can the regulation of edible cannabis be successfully implemented.
Further information:
https://ighanf.ch/positionspapier-zur-schweizerischen-cannabisregulierung
