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Dear reader,
In the last decade the world has witnessed a steady rise in the number of countries embracing regulatory approaches to therapeutic cannabis use. In the past few months alone, varying levels of progress could be found in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Aruba, New Zealand, and even, as unlikely as it may sound, in several Asian countries such as Malaysia, South Korea, and Thailand, who have traditionally enforced drug policies ranging from conservative to draconian.
In the meantime, while we continue to monitor these promising developments at the regional level, our local partners in Myanmar have recently produced a number of informative materials on the topic of opium cultivation and its relation with conflict, poverty, and political struggle in the country. Thanks to such valuable work at the local level, we are able to continue connecting the dots and to push for further reform throughout the year ahead, in global and national platforms alike.
Learn more from our top stories below.
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| Cannabis in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: The Perspective of a Traditional Grower |
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 Junior Spirit Cottle (middle) and other supporters of cannabis bills in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. | |
In light of the recent adoption of bills decriminalising cannabis in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, traditional cannabis grower and active participant of global fora, Junior Spirit Cottle, wrote a piece on the subject. Will decriminalisation make the lives of traditional cultivators better or worse?
Read online
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| Medicinal Cannabis in Aruba and Beyond |
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As Aruba considers introducing legal regulation for medicinal cannabis, TNI collaborated with local partners to host an Informal Drug Policy Dialogue in late November 2018 in Oranjestad, Aruba. The Dialogue brought together experts and policymakers from five Caribbean, five (Latin) American and two European countries. This Dialogue consisted of interactive discussions on challenges and opportunities in the emerging legal medical cannabis industry, particularly concerning the roles of small-scale cannabis producers. A report will be made available in the beginning of February.
Learn more
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For many farmers and families in Myanmar, opium cultivation is a means of survival in the face of poverty, insecurity, and repression. This new film, produced by the Myanmar Opium Farmers Forum, portrays the lives of two farming families, shedding light on their plight.
Watch the film
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| Opium Farmers: The Lives of Producers of Prohibited Plants |
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The opium problem in Myanmar is not a simple matter of law enforcement. This new TNI commentary highlights the urgent need to socio-economic development to provide alternatives for farmers, and to avoid a humanitarian crisis brought about by repressive policies.
Read the commentary
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Formed in 1996, the TNI Drugs & Democracy programme explores the underlying causes of drug production and consumption and advocates for evidence-based policies that respect the human rights of producers and consumers.
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