ENCOD
  • Donate
  • Covid-19 messages
  • News
  • Organisation
    • About us
    • Our Team
      • WORKING GROUPS
      • STUDIES
      • GENERAL ASSEMBLIES
      • FINANCES
    • Our Mission
    • FAQ
    • IN THE PRESS
    • ANNUAL REPORTS
    • ENCOD MEMBERS
    • INFO FOR MEMBERS
  • Join us
  • Actions & Events
    • CAMPAIGNS
      • FREEDOM TO FARM
        • FREEDOM TO FARM
        • FREEDOM TO FARM IS THE FIRST TEST OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
        • FREEDOM TO FARM AND CANNABIS SOCIAL CLUBS FOR PEOPLE WHO USE CANNABIS AS A MEDICINE
        • FREEDOM TO FARM POSTERS
        • FREEDOM TO FARM STICKERS
      • Cannabis Social Clubs
        • HOW TO CREATE A CANNABIS SOCIAL CLUB
        • EXAMPLES OF CSC’S IN EUROPE
        • Cannabis Social Clubs in Aktion
        • PROPOSAL TO REGULATE THE SELF CULTIVATION AND CANNABIS SOCIAL CLUBS IN BELGIUM
        • Catalonia regulates the Cannabis Social Clubs
        • WORKSHOP ‘HOW TO SET UP A CSC IN GERMANY’
      • 2017
      • 2014
      • 2010 – 2013
      • 2009
      • 2008
      • 2007
      • 2006
      • 1995 – 2005
      • EU LOBBY CAMPAIGN
        • 2011
        • 2010
        • 2009
        • 2008
        • 2007
        • 2006
        • 2005
        • 2004
    • ACTION APPEALS
  • Bulletins
  • Video Archive
  • Donate
  • Covid-19 messages
  • News
  • Organisation
    • About us
    • Our Team
      • WORKING GROUPS
      • STUDIES
      • GENERAL ASSEMBLIES
      • FINANCES
    • Our Mission
    • FAQ
    • IN THE PRESS
    • ANNUAL REPORTS
    • ENCOD MEMBERS
    • INFO FOR MEMBERS
  • Join us
  • Actions & Events
    • CAMPAIGNS
      • FREEDOM TO FARM
        • FREEDOM TO FARM
        • FREEDOM TO FARM IS THE FIRST TEST OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
        • FREEDOM TO FARM AND CANNABIS SOCIAL CLUBS FOR PEOPLE WHO USE CANNABIS AS A MEDICINE
        • FREEDOM TO FARM POSTERS
        • FREEDOM TO FARM STICKERS
      • Cannabis Social Clubs
        • HOW TO CREATE A CANNABIS SOCIAL CLUB
        • EXAMPLES OF CSC’S IN EUROPE
        • Cannabis Social Clubs in Aktion
        • PROPOSAL TO REGULATE THE SELF CULTIVATION AND CANNABIS SOCIAL CLUBS IN BELGIUM
        • Catalonia regulates the Cannabis Social Clubs
        • WORKSHOP ‘HOW TO SET UP A CSC IN GERMANY’
      • 2017
      • 2014
      • 2010 – 2013
      • 2009
      • 2008
      • 2007
      • 2006
      • 1995 – 2005
      • EU LOBBY CAMPAIGN
        • 2011
        • 2010
        • 2009
        • 2008
        • 2007
        • 2006
        • 2005
        • 2004
    • ACTION APPEALS
  • Bulletins
  • Video Archive
January 27, 2010  |  By ENCOD In 2010

LAWS INEFFECTIVE IN CURBING CANNABIS USE

arton2232

Source: Reuters

Jan 26, 2010

By Kate Kelland (Editing by Andrew Dobbie)


Laws against cannabis have failed to cut its use around the world and have led to policies that are intrusive, socially divisive and expensive, according to an international group of drug policy experts.

In a book published on Tuesday looking at cannabis policies, the experts said that, while the drug harmed some users, it had only a modest effect on society, where cocaine and alcohol were potentially more damaging.

“It is time for governments around the world to readdress cannabis policy,” Peter Reuter, a professor of public policy at the University of Maryland in the United States and one of the book’s five co-authors, told Reuters in an interview.

Scientific research has suggested smoking cannabis can double the risk of developing psychosis. A study published in the British Medical Journal last month found people who smoked “skunk” — a potent form of cannabis — are almost seven times more likely to develop psychotic illnesses such as schizophrenia than those who smoke “hash”, or cannabis resin.

Reuter said authorities should acknowledge “growing evidence that criminalization of use is a minor deterrent” and recognize the importance of developing “responsible ways of managing supply, rather than creating large illegal markets”.

He said the increasing potency of cannabis being sold on the street in many Western countries was one of his major concerns. “What we really need is a safer was way in which people can buy the drug, rather than leaving it to an illegal market which is producing a drug that is strong and stronger,” he said.

“It’s an additional but increasingly important argument for why we have to face up to working out how to provide a regulated market for cannabis.”

The book, called “Cannabis Policy: Moving Beyond Stalemate”, was published by Britain’s Oxford University Press and the Beckley Foundation, a charity that favors regulating rather the criminalizing drugs.

“Prohibitionist policies not only fail to meet their objectives but have inflicted significant social harms in the process,” said Amanda Feilding of the Beckley Foundation.

Despite laws against its use, up to 190 million people around the world use cannabis, according to U.N. estimates, which equates to about 4 percent of the global adult population.

The authors said vast numbers of arrests for possession of cannabis in countries such as Britain, Switzerland and the United States had had little deterrent effect but caused social division and pointless government expense.

Previous StoryTOWARD A GLOBAL TOLERANCE REGIME
Next StoryO FÓRUM DA SOCIEDADE CIVIL SOBRE AS DROGAS

Related Articles

  • arton2793
    CANNABIS CLUBS PLUG A GAP IN SPANISH DRUG LAWS
  • arton2784
    THE CONCEPT OF DRUG HARMS

Categories

Archives

  • About us
  • Downloads
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal Notice & Terms of Use
  • Imprint

Copyright ©2018 ThemeFuse. All Rights Reserved

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT

REPUBLISHING TERMS

You may republish this article online or in print under our Creative Commons license. You may not edit or shorten the text, you must attribute the article to ENCOD and you must include the author’s name in your republication.

If you have any questions, please email thujer@gmail.com

License

Creative Commons License AttributionCreative Commons Attribution
LAWS INEFFECTIVE IN CURBING CANNABIS USE