Opponents of a proposed bill to legalize marijuana in Germany did not muster enough support to block the measure in legislative body representing states, meaning it will now continue through the process. Germany’s legislature is composed of two main bodies: the Bundestag, which is comprised of democratically elected lawmakers, and the Bundesrat (or Federal Council), […]
The alcohol test is carried out using a breathalyser and, if positive, is confirmed by a blood sample. This works well because it measures the concentration of alcohol still in your blood. A positive test means that the driver is (still) drunk and not fit to drive.
The test method for THC is not as accurate. A urine sample can still be positive 3(!) days after smoking a joint. This is even worse with hair samples or if the person smokes occasionally.
Limiting testing to THC alone would be a sensible decision. At the moment they also test for THC-COOH, which is a metabolic by-product and lasts much longer in the body.
Without a change in testing methodology, you could lose your driving licence on Monday because you smoked a single joint on Friday. A bottle of vodka on Saturday? No problemo.
Interesting, thanks for the explanation. I’d been looking forward to it being legal here but not if it means I risk this. I guess it will be a few times a year treat if I’m spending a week off work at home just chilling out.
From an article here:
The draft law would make it legal for people over 18 to possess up to 25 grams (0.9 ounces) of cannabis and to cultivate up to three plants for personal use.
There will also be approved so-called cultivation associations. Often referred to as “cannabis social clubs,” they provide their members with homegrown cannabis products.
That’s a separate issue, and just because the old system for a well established substance that has been available for a 1000 years i bad, doesn’t mean we have to introduce a new one.
I actually like it. Legalize it but make it non-commercial so nobody profits from other people’s addiction.
Wake me up when they also update the traffic laws. Positive drug test because you smoked a week ago? There goes your drivers licence.
German traffic laws are not my area of expertise, but can you also lose your license if you drank alcohol a week ago?
It’s not entirely a 1-to-1 comparison, but weed doesn’t have That long an impact on reaction times.
The alcohol test is carried out using a breathalyser and, if positive, is confirmed by a blood sample. This works well because it measures the concentration of alcohol still in your blood. A positive test means that the driver is (still) drunk and not fit to drive.
The test method for THC is not as accurate. A urine sample can still be positive 3(!) days after smoking a joint. This is even worse with hair samples or if the person smokes occasionally.
Limiting testing to THC alone would be a sensible decision. At the moment they also test for THC-COOH, which is a metabolic by-product and lasts much longer in the body.
Without a change in testing methodology, you could lose your driving licence on Monday because you smoked a single joint on Friday. A bottle of vodka on Saturday? No problemo.
Interesting, thanks for the explanation. I’d been looking forward to it being legal here but not if it means I risk this. I guess it will be a few times a year treat if I’m spending a week off work at home just chilling out.
Not familiar with german politics - would you mind giving a quick tl/dr of how it is supposed to work?
From an article here: The draft law would make it legal for people over 18 to possess up to 25 grams (0.9 ounces) of cannabis and to cultivate up to three plants for personal use.
There will also be approved so-called cultivation associations. Often referred to as “cannabis social clubs,” they provide their members with homegrown cannabis products.
Then how in the world does that work for beer and other alcohol sales in Germany??
In Bavaria beer is considered food.
That’s a separate issue, and just because the old system for a well established substance that has been available for a 1000 years i bad, doesn’t mean we have to introduce a new one.
Two wrongs don’t make a right.