https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/karmakoalapodcast/episodes/2025-04-24T09_51_34-07_00
A milestone, the 250th episode of the Karma Koala podcast!
I noticed that Dr Hofmann has published his new title with Routledge mid March so got in touch to talk about all the whys and wherefores of the book and dig into Germany’s experience of trying to legalize cannabis under European law. We also widen the discussion around European law & cannabis as well as other jurisdictions operation outside Brussels purview.
I learnt more in 20 minutes conversation with Dr Hofmann that i have reading media over the past 2-3 years.
Dr Robin Hofmann
Dr. Robin Hofmann is an Assistant Professor of Criminal Law and Criminology at Maastricht University, He is specialized in organized crime, drug policies, and cross-border cooperation between law enforcement agencies. During his international career he has implemented several research projects and conducted field-work in challengeing environments like the Kosovo. He regularly comments on current developments in the field of organized crime in the media and is a guest speaker at universities and other institutions.
A trained German lawyer and sociologist, Dr. Hofmann earned his PhD in Law in 2016. His professional experience includes roles as a legal trainee with the German Prosecution Service, the German Foreign Office, and the UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (UNICTY) in The Hague. He has also been a visiting researcher at the University of Oslo and provides expert advice on cannabis regulation to the German government and across Europe.
Visit him on LinkedIn and find all his publications here
The Book
The Regulation of Cannabis in Europe Of Highs and Laws
Introduction; 1. The History of Cannabis – Medicine, Crop Plant, Safety Risk; 2. The German Cannabis Controversy; 3. The International Prohibition of Cannabis; 4. Cannabis and the EU; 5. Cannabis Regulation Around the World; 6. Europe’s Cannabis Dilemma
Changing attitudes towards cannabis across Europe are challenging old convictions of drug prohibition and making space for new approaches to the drug. This book delves into the evolving landscape of cannabis regulation across Europe and the world. Starting with Germany’s push for full legalization, the work highlights the hurdles faced by policymakers, offering a detailed analysis of the international and European frameworks that restrict drug policy reform and discussing potential loopholes to avoid them. The case of Germany and its struggle with cannabis reform serves as a valuable blueprint with guidance for other states considering implementing more progressive approaches to drugs. The volume explores the complexities of cannabis regulation in a concise and approachable way, targeting not only legal professionals but also policymakers and readers with an interest in the societal dynamics of drug policy reforms and how these are shaped by the European Union and international law. The book will be of interest to a broad audience that includes legal scholars and practitioners; students of criminology, international law, and European law; and those with an interest in EU security and health policies.
