Hamburg: Updates from Germany's Second Largest City - There have been twelve instances of illegal cannabis activity close to daycare facilities and schools.
In the initial two months after the legalization of cannabis use, the Hamburg police logged twelve instances of illicit consumption close to kindergartens and schools. By May 27th, authorities had spotted three violations in a kindergarten zone, as per a Senate's reply to a modest inquiry from the CDU parliamentary group. Cannabis or hash was sampled eight times near schools, and once in a region with both a school and a kindergarten. The cops filed charges in three cases. In other instances, the users got a warning - with potential repercussions if they persisted.
The minimum required distance from schools, kindergartens, playgrounds, youth centers, or public sports facilities when engaging in cannabis use is 100 meters. The Senate declared this stipulation on May 8th, along with a fair of 500 euros for violations. If cannabis is taken in the presence of minors, a 1,000 euro fine is looming.
A multitude of questions regarding the new law are still unanswered among Hamburg schools, according to the Senate's response. Inquiries have been made at the Addiction Prevention Center housed inside the Institute for Teacher Education and School Development about legal ramifications, measures, and respective duties. Schools have also expressed worries that the risk awareness of youth may drop due to the updated regulations and that young people could be enticed to use cannabis.
Recently, the school management asked school principals to prohibit the transport of cannabis through altering school rules. Per the legislation, those aged 18 and older can possess up to 25 grams. By year's end, the authority plans to gauge more schools on the issues caused by this regulation.
"The cannabis legalization by the federal government is a notable mistake that needs immediate rectification," said the CDU faction's education policy spokesperson, Birgit Stöver. Along with the health hazards, particularly for children and young adults, numerous unaddressed quandaries for the state persist.
The protection zones for kindergartens and schools must remain drug-free, insisted Stöver. "That breaches have already surfaced within these protection zones is a worrying sign and does not augur well for the coming months."
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The instances of illicit cannabis activity near schools in Hamburg increased after the legalization, leading to concerns from the CDU parliamentary group. The Senate imposed a fine of 500 euros for consuming cannabis within 100 meters of schools, kindergartens, and other facilities, which was announced on May 8th. Schools have expressed worries that the updated regulations might lower risk awareness among youth and potentially encourage drug use. The CDU faction's education policy spokesperson, Birgit Stöver, criticized the cannabis legalization as a mistake, especially due to its impact on children and the increasing drug-related incidents near schools.
