Change and Antecedents of Cannabis Consumption after the Legalization of Recreational Cannabis in Germany

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Title: Change and Antecedents of Cannabis Consumption after the Legalization of Recreational Cannabis in Germany
Language: English
Authors: Lena Hahn (ORCID 0000-0001-5989-5396), Gil Konz (ORCID 0009-0009-4894-0142), Kai Sassenberg (ORCID 0000-0001-6579-8250)
Source: Journal of Drug Education. 2026 55(2):86-104.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 19
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Drug Use, Marijuana, Intention, Behavior, Social Influences, Self Control, Legislation, Attitudes, Adults, Individual Characteristics, Incidence
Geographic Terms: Germany
DOI: 10.1177/00472379261430434
ISSN: 0047-2379
1541-4159
Abstract: Since April 1st, 2024, recreational cannabis has been legalized in Germany. Following the legalization, an increase in cannabis consumption appeared likely; however, data supporting this statement is missing. Therefore, the current study examines changes in cannabis consumption after the legalization and investigates antecedents of cannabis use intention and behavior. Data from 605 adults were collected one month after the legalization (Time 1) and six months later (Time 2). Shortly after the cannabis legalization, attitude, subjective norm, intention, and perceived behavior control seem to be closely related to cannabis consumption. Although the data did not indicate increased cannabis consumption after the legalization, prevention programs--especially for vulnerable groups (e.g., adolescents)--should be implemented and focus on changing attitudes and perceived behavior control.
Abstractor: As Provided
Notes: https://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.21739
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1505495
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Change and Antecedents of Cannabis Consumption after the Legalization of Recreational Cannabis in Germany
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lena+Hahn%22">Lena Hahn</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5989-5396">0000-0001-5989-5396</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Gil+Konz%22">Gil Konz</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4894-0142">0009-0009-4894-0142</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kai+Sassenberg%22">Kai Sassenberg</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6579-8250">0000-0001-6579-8250</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Drug+Education%22"><i>Journal of Drug Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 55(2):86-104.
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  Data: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com
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  Data: 19
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Drug+Use%22">Drug Use</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Marijuana%22">Marijuana</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Intention%22">Intention</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Behavior%22">Behavior</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Influences%22">Social Influences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Self+Control%22">Self Control</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Legislation%22">Legislation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Attitudes%22">Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Adults%22">Adults</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Individual+Characteristics%22">Individual Characteristics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Incidence%22">Incidence</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Germany%22">Germany</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1177/00472379261430434
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  Data: 0047-2379<br />1541-4159
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Since April 1st, 2024, recreational cannabis has been legalized in Germany. Following the legalization, an increase in cannabis consumption appeared likely; however, data supporting this statement is missing. Therefore, the current study examines changes in cannabis consumption after the legalization and investigates antecedents of cannabis use intention and behavior. Data from 605 adults were collected one month after the legalization (Time 1) and six months later (Time 2). Shortly after the cannabis legalization, attitude, subjective norm, intention, and perceived behavior control seem to be closely related to cannabis consumption. Although the data did not indicate increased cannabis consumption after the legalization, prevention programs--especially for vulnerable groups (e.g., adolescents)--should be implemented and focus on changing attitudes and perceived behavior control.
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  Data: https://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.21739
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  Data: 2026
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        Value: 10.1177/00472379261430434
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      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 19
        StartPage: 86
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Drug Use
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Marijuana
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      – SubjectFull: Intention
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      – SubjectFull: Behavior
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      – SubjectFull: Social Influences
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      – SubjectFull: Self Control
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      – SubjectFull: Legislation
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      – SubjectFull: Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Adults
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      – SubjectFull: Individual Characteristics
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      – SubjectFull: Incidence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Germany
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: Change and Antecedents of Cannabis Consumption after the Legalization of Recreational Cannabis in Germany
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            NameFull: Kai Sassenberg
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              Y: 2026
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