Despite their perception as a low-risk form of consumption, edibles are prohibited under German cannabis law, mainly due to concerns about youth protection. In Switzerland, however, there are pilot trials in which edibles are given to test subjects. What are the advantages and risks of regulating edibles?
Main reasons for the exclusion of cannabis foods
The Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) has commissioned a study Study, identified a tension between two main goals of the planned cannabis reform: drying up the black market and protecting minors. This study suggests that including edibles in the legalization could potentially jeopardize youth protection. The decision not to include edible cannabis in the German Consumer Cannabis Act is due in particular to safety and youth protection concerns.
International Experiences and Security Concerns
Experience from Canada and the USA shows that the introduction of edibles has led to an increase in accidental poisoning and intoxication among children under ten years of age. In Canada, therefore, final report The expert panel reviewing the Cannabis Act has made several recommendations to prevent such incidents.
Different legal frameworks
While in Germany edibles are not included in the law on cannabis consumption, there are pilot trials in Switzerland in which THC-containing foods are given to test subjects. However, THC is generally considered a novel food in the sense of the novel food. catalog the EU. So how is it possible that THC edibles can be sold in pilot trials? This is possible because the pilot trials are regulated by law under the Novel Food Regulation and, from a legal point of view, regulate a special field.
Calls for a relaxation of the regulations
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 THC-containing foods in harm reduction facilities would not violate European law.
How can this tension be resolved?
International experience has shown that the sale of edibles entails potential risks. These risks must be reduced with technical solutions (child-proof packaging) and education. This is the only way the regulation of edible cannabis can be successfully implemented.
Continue information:
https://ighanf.ch/positionspapier-zur-schweizerischen-cannabisregulierung