We have a choice: The
trade in cannabis and other
illicit drugs can be left either
in the hands of criminals or
of governments. There are no
other options. The evidence is
clear – giving the state control
of the drug trade through the
legal regulation of cannabis
and other drugs is the only
substantiated, holistic way to
deal with the issues relating
to their medicinal benefits,
their social impacts, their
harms and the vast crime
networks that the current laws
help to sustain.
of drugs will increase their use – especially among minors.
harm.
However, in the Netherlands, where the possession and
It is worth noting that, on average, only 3% of people
retail supply of cannabis is legal, rates of cannabis use
who are exposed to a drug eventually become addicted to
are almost the same as the European average. Moreover,
that drug. The majority of people who use drugs casually
when Portugal decriminalised the possession of all drugs in
or 'recreationally' do not become addicted to them. This
2001, drug use did not rise dramatically, as some feared.
is as true for illicit drugs as it is for alcohol where only a
Now, over ten years later, levels of drug use remain below
small percentage of people who drink alcoholic beverages
the European average. Since legal regulation of cannabis
go on to become alcoholics.
was implemented in Colorado over two years ago there
We have a choice: The trade in cannabis and other
has been a slight increase in its overall use by adults but
illicit drugs can be left either in the hands of criminals
a decrease in its use by minors.
or of governments. There are no other options. The
In many countries, tobacco use is half what it was
evidence is clear – giving the state control of the drug
30 years ago. This reduction has been achieved without
trade through the legal regulation of cannabis and other
blanket bans or criminalising smokers; it is the result
drugs is the only substantiated, holistic way to deal with
of health education and stricter market regulation, only
the issues relating to their medicinal benefits, their social
possible because tobacco is a legal product.
impacts, their harms and the vast crime networks that the
Levels of drug use are often equated with levels
current laws help to sustain. O
of drug harm, but the vast majority of drug use is
non-problematic. Rather than narrowly focusing only on
reducing drug use, policies should seek to reduce overall
For more info visit www.legalize-drugs.com
ODYSSEY 59
•
DIGIMAG