First results in Upper Austria

Cannabis legalization: The big rush failed to materialize

Since April 1, the police have been focusing their checks in border areas.

(Bild: Dostal Harald)

Since the legalization of cannabis in Germany on 1 April, the police have been carrying out targeted operations in the border area in Upper Austria. In the first three weeks, not a single local drug driver was caught, only three residents of Germany were caught. Intensive checks are still being carried out.

The fears were great, but the effects have been small - at least so far. Since the legalization of cannabis in Germany on 1 April, the police have, as reported, stepped up their checks in Upper Austria's border areas in order to literally pull possible drug drivers out of circulation. The ÖVP and FPÖ in particular had also called for this politically.

The initial assessment after three weeks of priority checks: "So far, there have been no conspicuous cases in the border districts," summarizes Günther Humer, Deputy Provincial Police Director.

So far there have been no anomalies in the border districts. However, the checks will continue at the same high level.

Günther Humer, Landespolizeidirektor-Stv.

Three drug drivers in Schärding
Expressed in concrete figures: no drivers were found to be under the influence of narcotics during the focus campaigns of the provincial traffic department and the Braunau and Ried district police commands. Only the Schärding district police command caught three drug drivers, all of whom were resident in Germany. No "smugglers" who wanted to import cannabis across the border from Bavaria to Upper Austria have been caught to date.

Cannabis is now - under certain conditions - unpunishable in Germany.

(Bild: Scharinger Daniel)

Nevertheless, Humer wants to continue intensive controls. Why is that? "The fact is: the decision in Germany can have an impact on Upper Austria, especially when driving a vehicle under the influence of narcotics. There are no anomalies now, but that can change at any time. That's why we are keeping up the checks."

This applies in Germany

Since April 1, 2024, cannabis consumption is no longer punishable in Germany under certain conditions. Adults over the age of 18 are allowed to carry up to 25 grams of the drug in public. Growing cannabis yourself is also permitted, with up to three cannabis plants for private use. In addition, it is now permitted to smoke weed in public in Germany, but not in the vicinity of children, young people, schools, kindergartens, playgrounds or sports grounds.

Intoxication causes seven percent of accidents
The fact that hardly any drug drivers have been caught during the legalization campaigns does not mean, of course, that there are generally no more drug drivers on the road in our federal state. And one thing is undisputed: driving while intoxicated can cause accidents. According to Statistics Austria, 7.4 percent of all accidents in Austria were presumably caused by alcohol, drugs or medication.

During priority checks, police officers first look for certain clues, such as reddened eyes or the smell of cannabis. If the rapid saliva test yields a positive drug result, the driver is taken to the public health officer.