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Dear reader,
Around the world, a growing number of countries are realising that cannabis prohibition is doing more harm than good. Prohibition leads to heavy burdens on criminal justice systems, discrimination and marginalisation of various social groups, and harms public health and security.
In 2013, Uruguay became the first country in the world to introduce an all-encompassing system of legal regulation for cannabis use, distribution, and production. This major achievement coincided with similar victories in the U.S. states of Colorado and Washington, and a few years later in several more states. Canada’s bill C-45 to regulate cannabis comes into effect on October 17. Pilot projects for a regulated cannabis supply will soon start in the Netherlands and Switzerland, and several other countries are considering similar moves.
Want to learn more? Below are our three top stories of the month.
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| How does inter se modification work in practice? |
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The global cannabis prohibition is failing. However, countries that embrace legal regulation have been held back by UN drug treaty restrictions for far too long. As stated by a prominent thinker on international treaty law, Jan Klabbers, the inter se modification option is “perhaps the most elegant way out.” In a 3-minute animation, we explain how this treaty reform option carries the potential to enable progressive and sustainable change at the global level.
Watch the video
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| Seek drug reform within international law: Tom Blickman |
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In the late 19th century, the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission was tasked to investigate patterns of cannabis consumption in India, and concluded that cannabis was not associated with any significant health and social repercussions. Based on this, the Commission recommended for legal regulation based on taxation and moderate levels of control, yet governments at the time decided not to embrace such measures. In an interview with the Delhi Post, Tom Blickman reflected on this deplorable historical error: “Had the wisdom of the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission’s recommendations prevailed, we would have prevented a lot of misery by erroneous drug control policies.”
Read more
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| Harm Reduction Study visit from Myanmar |
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Between 16 and 22 September 2018, a group of ten government officials from Myanmar participated in a study visit in the Netherlands and Germany, focusing on harm reduction and health oriented drug policy practices in both countries. The study visit, organised in collaboration with the Global Partnership on Drug Policies and Development (GPDPD), consisted of meetings with various experts and organisations in the field of health and harm reduction, and European drug policy. Field visits to service providers such as a low threshold facilities; drug consumption rooms; a diamorphine programme and a detoxification centre, were also part of the programme.
Read more
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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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