Germanys cannabis gamble backfires: 250,000 addicts and a growing black market

Germany’s experiment with cannabis legalization is drawing sharp scrutiny after new data shows a dramatic rise in addiction cases and a booming black market — just one year after personal use was decriminalized. The German government initially hoped that legalizing recreational cannabis would curb the illegal drug trade and protect minors. However, the number of people requiring treatment for cannabis addiction has surged to over 250,000 in the past year, many of them in their twenties. Critics now say the policy may have done more harm than good. According to a report from Süddeutsche Zeitung, Friday, which cited data from German insurance provider KKH, a total of 250,500 people were treated in 2024 for cannabis-related issues such as addiction, withdrawal, or mental health disorders. That marks a 14.5 percent increase compared to the previous year — roughly 30 cases per 10,000 people. Young adults were the most affected: people aged 25 to 29 had the highest treatment rate, with 95 cases per 10,000, followed by those aged 45 to 49. KKH noted that this was the highest number of ca

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