German insurers report limited impact of cannabis driving limits

Two years after the introduction of legal cannabis limits for drivers, insurers report that the regulations have had limited impact on behavior. A survey conducted by the German Insurance Association indicates that regular consumers, particularly those who use cannabis daily, continue to drive after consumption.

According to the survey, one in five respondents admitted to driving shortly after consuming cannabis in the past twelve months. While the legal limit of 3.5 nanograms of THC per milliliter of blood serum is well known to 88 percent of those surveyed, nearly one-third of respondents stated they were indifferent to the regulation.

Violating the limit typically results in a 500 euro fine, a one-month driving ban, and two points on a driving record. If alcohol is also present, the fine increases to 1,000 euros. Stricter zero-tolerance rules apply to drivers under 21 and those in their two-year probationary period.