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Abstract: Objectives: This contribution points out necessary requirements for a controlled legalization of Cannabis for recreational use to adults to uphold health and minors protection. Without the proposed regulations the intended legalization would open an additional distribution channel for THC-products without achieving the intended politicial goals, i. e. better quality of Cannabis and reduction in crime rates. Methods: We outline necessary legislative changes for a controlled distribution of Cannabis for recreational purposes, which will reduce associated harm potentials. Results: Necessary elements of a controlled distribution of Cannabis are an excise tax on the products THC-content, the classification of THC-products under the German Medicines Act (Arzneimittelgesetz). THC-products shall only be manufactured by specialised limited companies, with superveillance by specialized authorities. A ban of any kind of marketing is necessary as well as an upper cap on THC-content of the products. A manipulation of the natural metabolizing of THC by the human body via additives and the addition of nicotine has to be ruled out by law. Consumers making purchases from illegal vendors and thus keeping them in the market need to sanctioned by criminal law even when buying only for own consumption. Conclusions: A controlled distribution of Cannabis has to be accompanied by an array of legal regulations, to mitigate the medical and economic costs of consumption that will result from a legalization of Cannabis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Internal documents of the tobacco industry, several testimonies in trial and scientific evidence corroborated that the addictive potential of cigarettes can be explained historically by the manipulation of tobacco and the special construction of cigarette papers and filters. Big Tobacco has used their knowledge about "cigarette construction" to control the amount of nicotine in the blood and to assure sufficient nicotine doses, to initiate and maintain addiction. Recent evidence on e-cigarettes shows that market success seems to some part depend on the pharmacokinetic similarity of regular cigarettes. This contribution demonstrates a new taxation approach, which hinges directly on the pharmacokinetic profile of a nicotine product. Method: After a short summary on the product design of cigarettes and the knowledge big tobacco had on the contingencies between tobacco, nicotine and addiction we derive a taxation model, which eliminates the incentives to design a product with a fast increase in blood nicotine levels. Results: Every nicotine product, for which an average consumer within a consumption period of 10 minutes exceeds a nicotine blood level of 5 nanograms per ml blood, is taxed by a significantly higher excise tax. Conclusion: This crucial addition to the German "Tabaksteuergesetz" directly focusses on the addictive potential of the nicotine product and hence imposes higher tax rates on products with higher addiction potential accordingly. With the new tax rates economic incentives to design high addicitive nicotine products are eliminated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the lack of effective measures to control alcohol consumption and alcohol addiction in Germany. Various preventive measures are discussed, including price increases through taxes, restrictions on availability, marketing bans, and measures against alcohol while driving. It is noted that Germany tends to support measures that are questionable in their effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, rather than implementing effective tools such as alcohol taxes. The influence of the alcohol industry through lobbying is cited as one reason for the lack of effective measures. It is emphasized that there is still a long way to go to implement effective measures against harmful alcohol consumption and alcohol addiction. [Extracted from the article]

The federal government plans, as part of the cannabis legalization project, a "2-pillar model" that includes the cultivation of cannabis for personal use and the distribution in cannabis social clubs (CSC). The proposal includes a time limit and a reliability check for the operators of the CSC. It is planned to allow the sale of THC products in the CSC, which could endanger youth protection. Instead, THC products should only be allowed to be consumed in the premises of the CSC. In addition, access controls and a ban on nicotine and alcohol products should be introduced in the CSC. The previous prosecution of THC consumers has proven to be ineffective, and the planned further release of cannabis outside of the CSC could increase the number of drug users. [Extracted from the article]

Aim: Concerning the ongoing debate on the legalization of cannabis in Germany, the medical costs due to its consumption need to be assessed and quantified for further decisions. This contribution gives an estimation of the economic costs and possible further intangible impairments due to hazardous cannabis consumption. Methods: For the estimation a sample of 146,000 subjects from the German Statutory Health Insurance with 1,245 subjects displaying a diagnosis of hazardous cannabis consumption (ICD10-Code F12) were analyzed. Using different regression models we assessed the costs caused by cannabis consumption in the health sector as well as productivity losses and intangible impairments. Results: Hazardous consumption of cannabis results in 2,438 € of additional costs per person and year. In sum the economic costs of cannabis consumption in Germany are 975 m. € p.a. Additional costs due to accompanying tobacco use are likely. The results also indicate a higher occurrence of intangible impairments like depression, fatigue and pain among hazardous cannabis consumers. Discussion: The costs assessment displays the higher economic burden and health effects that would likely result if cannabis consumption increases e. g. due to a more liberal regulation. These costs and burdens need to be incorporated into the discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal für Betriebswirtschaft is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)