The legalization of cannabis has been a heavily debated subject. Globally, smoking cannabis has slowly become more accepted in society and is less often perceived as a deviant crime. Beyond California, weed has been widely accepted in certain cultures and movements are in place to push for the legalization of weed if it has not already been implemented.
Amsterdam
The Dutch outlook on drug control takes the stance that when drugs are outlawed, they become harder to influence and control. The Dutch outlook is that an individual’s personal use of drugs is down to their own, informed choice despite the health implications. Therefore personal use of illegal substances has been decriminalized. In the Netherlands, hard drugs such as cocaine, MDMA and heroin are forbidden, but soft drugs are legalized to a certain extent.
The multitude of weed coffee shops in Amsterdam is one of the major reasons the city sees such a huge influx of tourists every year. As it is such a novelty to non-locals, tourists from all over the world will visit the city to explore the outlandish museums and to dine in at one of the coffee shops on space cakes and brownies. However, the Dutch are not a nation of people that suffer any greater wars on drug use and addiction than the US. Arguably, the liberal stance that the Dutch have on recreational drug use has not worsened the problem, but has increased safety for users as they can purchase cannabis in safe environments.
Uruguay
Uruguay has gone the furthest of any nation, and this South American country has become the first in the world to entirely legalize weed. Weed can be purchased in pharmacies with individuals registering to purchase it with a weekly limit of 10 grams. This allows the government to ensure users of cannabis are receiving safe and pure drugs, rather than risking buying weed ‘cut’ with other unknown substances when bought on the street. The government’s efforts in this bill allow for regulated use of cannabis in safe quantities.
As well as select pharmacies selling cannabis, Uruguayans can sign up to cannabis clubs, where they cultivate their own plants and the amount of weed individual members receive is again monitored and kept at a maximum of 40 grams a month. It must be noted that one person cannot be both a member of a club and also registered to receive weed in pharmacies.
United Kingdom
Current law across the United Kingdom outlaws drugs and possession can carry a sentence of up to five years in prison as well as an unlimited fine. However, there have been steps in the direction of legalizing cannabis as in individual cases people have been granted permission to use the drug for medicinal purposes. This year a young boy was granted the use of cannabis oil to relieve him of his severe epilepsy after the Home Secretary intervened. Despite efforts by multiple campaigns endorsed by British celebrities such as rapper Professor Green, the argument that legalization of weed could better the safety of recreational users has been overruled. It is highly likely that laws will be relaxed surrounding medicinal purposes but not for recreational drug takers.
Russia
Russia isn’t known for its progressive drug laws, but surprisingly the country has decriminalized the possession of marijuana for personal use – up to 6 grams can be carried by an individual and the most they can incur is a fine. This is out of character for a government that is very intolerant regarding other controversial areas of law.
Is there any correlation between drug policies and addiction rates?
Evidence suggests that there is no correlation between stricter drug policies and reduced numbers in addiction and substance abuse. The only effective way a government can combat drug addiction is by offering effective treatment for addicts. Whether a patient is an alcoholic, an illegal drug taker, or dependent on prescription drugs, they must be rehabilitated rather than punished. If the core reason for their addiction is not combated then a person will continue to feed into it.
By Cerys May