UNGASS 2016: Insights from Europe on the development of global cannabis policy and the need for reform of the global drug policy regime

Abstract

could be applied to wider global drug policy regimes. Methodology: European experiences with (i) diverse cannabis policies and (ii) longstanding attempts to harmonise or coordinate diverse national drug policies in general are examined and the results are extrapolated to global drug policy debates. Results: (i) the diversity of drug policy seen within EU borders should be viewed as a strength, (ii) flexibility under the international conventions is possible, but has limitations, (iii) changes to the global drug policy regime should seek to increase flexibility , and (iv) the importance of international institutions in providing a framework and an evaluatory role should not be under emphasised. Conclusions: Collectively, the evidence suggests the need for the loosening of controls restricting the development of diverse drug policy innovations, and the development of international drug policy frameworks and international standards of drug-related data collection.

Identification of Terpenoid Chemotypes Among High (−)-trans-Δ9- Tetrahydrocannabinol-ProducingCannabis sativaL. Cultivars

“… 4 Uruguay recently legalized cannabis and laws in various countries within the European Union (EU) are also changing regarding cannabis. 5 , 6 Due to its many and controversial uses, the taxonomic classification of cannabis has been the subject of both legal and scientific debate.…”

Theory and methods in comparative drug and alcohol policy research: Response to a review of the literature

“…Caroline Chatwin suggests that this is a time of opportunity to promote policy innovation as a virtue and evaluation of innovation as a primary role of national and international drug control and health agencies (Chatwin, 2016). From the epistemologically Machiavellian point of view, even jurisdictions that adhere to rigid prohibition can assist in the identification of positive innovation by serving as die-hard counterfactuals.…”

Influence of legal status on the uptake of cannabis in young people

“…Depenalisation refers to the lessening of penalties (criminal or civil) attached to cannabis possession while decriminalisation is form of depenalisation concerned with removing the criminal status (10). Policy changes in European countries 4 such as Netherlands which accommodate the sale and use of small amounts of cannabis align with International Treaties by retaining cannabis as an illegal substance (5,11,12).…”