Thus, thailand became the first asian country to legalize medical cannabis. These sloppy laws that decriminalized the use of drugs may have made the personal possession of this stuff legal, but they still catch those who sell drugs. Weed, cocaine, heroin, you name it portugal decided to treat possession and use of small quantities of these drugs as a. This book is a realistic appraisal of legalization, vital to anyone concerned.
The prohibition of drugs is assumed necessary to reduce the consumption of drugs and thereby reduce the ills caused by drug consumption. Colorado and washington recently voted to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. Drug liberalization proponents hold differing reasons to support liberalization, and have differing policy proposals. Miguel fonseca, 39, smoking cocaine in lisbon, where possession of small amounts of drugs is a minor offense. The legality of cannabis for medical and recreational use varies by country, in terms of its possession, distribution, and cultivation, and in regards to medical how it can be consumed and what medical conditions it can be used for. San diego, california legalizing drugs bonnie szumski, editorial director scott barbour, managing editor louise i.
Countries that have legalized drugs drug legalization. Is there a country in the world where all drugs are legal. Norwegians found with small quantities of drugs will be diverted into treatment programs rather than criminally. An opposing viewpoints series greenhaven press, inc. Legal cocaine may sound absurd to some, but a number of countries. Legality varies in these countries and subnational jurisdictions when it. Noting that the drugs are available and used in european countries, they said that the procedure was safer, could. May 21, 2012 the drug war will probably continue for a very long time.
This pragmatic approach was motivated by the idea that a drug free dutch society is unrealistic and. The experience of foreign countries and drug legalization. By legalizing drugs, the state can regulate the sale those who want to use drugs will take them whether they are legal or not. Sep 12, 2009 the case for legalising all drugs is unanswerable. The economic case for the us to legalize all drugs quartz. Jul 28, 2014 an economic and moral case for legalizing cocaine and heroin. Supporters say that will generate tax revenue and free up law enforcement resources.
Dont legalize drugs advocates say legalization will. Drug warriors often contend that drug use would skyrocket if we were to legalize or decriminalize drugs in the united states. These 30 countries have legalized medical marijuana in. Uruguay legalized marijuana and the crime rate has plummetted. Sep 26, 1982 a leading expert on drugs and criminal justice has sounded a new call for making heroin legally available to treat addicts and to relieve pain for other people, but only through doctors. Drug prohibition and developing countries world bank documents. Douglas husak argues in favor of drug decriminalization, by. The country has 3 overdose deaths per million citizens, compared to the eu average. Fiftyone percent of all federal prisoners between 2011 and 20 were serving time for drug related offenses. Some people say, that these countries improved after legalizing drugs. Legalisation began at midnight with shops in canadas easternmost provinces the first to sell the drug. Its important to understand and respect the rules that vary across the u. Legalizing drugs would eliminate many inconsistencies, guarantee freedoms, and increase the effectiveness of the governments antidrug beliefs. Legalization of all drugs persuasive essay wattpad.
After id written my last blog, about the rohrabacherblumenauer amendment update and marijuana as a gateway drug, i read about other countries approach to the war on drugs. The economic case for the us to legalize all drugs. Portugal decriminalised drugs 14 years ago and now. The book is really informational and talks about many big debates such as, legalizing marijuana, and other drugs for sports. After the revolution, portugal gave up its colonies, and colonists and soldiers returned to the country with a variety of drugs. While recreational use, possession and trade of nonmedicinal drugs described by the opium law are all technically illegal under dutch law, official policy since the late 20th century has been to openly tolerate all recreational use while tolerating the other two under certain circumstances. How would we explain a drug legalization policy to countries like mex. Impact of the legalization and decriminalization of. Vermont, and washington all recognize the legality of recreational marijuana. An economic and moral case for legalizing cocaine and heroin. May 10, 2019 the fiveyear policy outline wouldnt make drugs. Marijuana is the most widely used illegal drug in the world. Finally, there is absolutely no hope for legalizing drugs until prominent physicians speak out for legalization. A real debate that acknowledges the unavoidable complexities and uncertainties surrounding the notion of drug legalization is long overdue.
For the proposed legalization of drugs to have its much vaunted beneficial effect on the rate of criminality, such drugs would have to be both cheap and readily available. This is a hugely disappointing book as are virtually all books that see the war on drugs as a problem. These policies in most countries are regulated by the united nations single convention on narcotic drugs that was ratified in 1961, along with the 1971. Maybe the book s failing to be more influential was due to mr millers choosing to convince us with calm logic instead of impassioned pleas. Drug legalization calls for a return to the pre20th century situation in which almost all drugs were legal. List of books and articles about legalization of drugs. Therefore, by legalizing drugs, a government can help regulate the sale of drugs to control the environment of the transaction and ensure that the harmful effects of drug use are minimized. Several countries have decriminalized personal possession of drugs. Potential legalization of the production and use of illegal drugs is a controversial issue in many countries around the world. For example, many people fear that legalizing drugs would lead to a sharp increase in the number of drug users. In addition, 25 countries have also ended criminalisation of cannabis use.
The country has 3 overdose deaths per million citizens, compared to the eu average of 17. In the netherlands where there is nonenforcement for soft drugs, marijuana use doubled among 1825 year olds. Telesur reports that the government has had to crack down on locals selling to. It was the 80s, and by the time one in 10 people had slipped into the depths of heroin use bankers, university students, carpenters, socialites, miners portugal was in a state of panic. Building on existing literature, this book provides a critique of the drug war and. The netherlands is the european country most associated with liberal drug laws.
Also, he doesnt convincingly make the case that people should be allowed to use drugs for recreational purposes. The case for legalizing drugs by richard lawrence miller 247 pages. The one that convinced me was the case for legalizing drugs, by richard miller, which i read almost twenty years ago. There are now almost 100 countries across the globe making use of harm reduction interventions, a practice that turns away from the more historical crime and punishment model for drugs. The two most common positions are drug legalization or relegalization, and drug decriminalization. Theres also the fact that we seem to be exporting our drug related violence elsewhere. Highlights the failures of the governments war on marijuana, likening it to 1920sstyle prohibition politics, and points to the need for citizen initiatives to change drug policy. A subsequent column will suggest a more economic approach to the natural problem of drugs. These policies in most countries are regulated by the united nations single convention on narcotic drugs that. Which european country has the most liberal drug laws. The economics of drug prohibition and drug legalization. The eu country where drugs are decriminalised and hardly. Heres what a legal market for cocaine could look like joe biden. Should america be cracking down on drug abuse, or is legalization the answer.
Proponents of legalization suggest that the experiences of countries such as great britain, the netherlands, and switzerland prove the efficacy of legalizing or decriminalizing various types of illegal drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. The main way i tell about that in the book is through the story of how the founder of the war on drugs, harry anslinger, played a crucial role in stalking and. There are now almost 100 countries across the globe making use of harm reduction interventions, a practice. Norway norways parliament has voted to decriminalize marijuana, cocaine, and heroin. Different forms of legalization could bring very different results. In 2001, the portuguese government did something that the united states would find entirely alien. But the concept of legalizing drugs is not as radical and modern as it may seem. Opinion how to win a war on drugs the new york times. Countries that have legalized recreational cannabis are canada, georgia, south africa, and uruguay, plus eleven states and the district of columbia in the united states and the australian capital territory in australia. The global shift on drug policy even includes conservative countries like lebanon, which is seeking to legalize medical marijuana after the consulting firm mckinsey suggested it as an approach to. This rich and diverse collection assembles a wide range of views in the ongoing debate over drug legalization, decriminalization, and deregulation in america. Canada becomes second country to legalise cannabis world. There are countries in the world that have legalized drugs such as, great britain, netherlands, switzerland, and some other countries as well.
Expert calls for legalizing heroin for medical use the new. According to a 2008 study published by harvard economist jeffrey a. Going to have to wait up to 8 more months the delays are mounting in mexicos attempt to end cannabis prohibition. Comparable numbers in other countries range from 10. Legalizing drugs would eliminate many inconsistencies, guarantee freedoms, and increase the effectiveness of the govern. Apr 04, 2012 america spends 20 times more on drug control than all the worlds poppy and coca growers earn. How to win a war on drugs portugal treats addiction as a disease, not a crime. Another argument in favor of relaxing drug policy is that there are successful experiments with legalization in certain countries, such as the netherlands, which is known for allowing cannabis use in special coffee shops. Still, just two countries globally have legalized adultuse weed. An important issue in the debate is how to measure and compare the total harm caused by the prohibition or potential legalization of drugs. Uruguay was the first country to legalise marijuana, in 20. I believe our drug laws are wrong on almost all counts. The presumed justification for the special legal treatment of drugs is that drug use causes substantial harm both to drug users and to society generally. If people were just smart and not get busted with drugs then, im sure people wouldnt push as hard to get drugs legalized.
These are the fundamental issues debated in this book by two prominent philosophers of law. Top 10 countries where drugs are legal topteny magazine. Drug liberalization is the process of eliminating or reducing drug prohibition laws. Legalizing drugs would mean decreasing prices and increasing consumption. Gale offers an overview of history and issues related to marijuana, derived from. While it broke new ground as the first country to legalize the drug at the federal level, uruguays rollout of a recreational marijuana industry has been bumpy, to say the least. Lets discuss for a moment the case of the united states, not only for the recent attitudinal changes that are impacting the country but also because we have many reliable sources of data to study there. The book has many cool images and charts that are really interesting and give many facts.
The case for legalizing drugs was ahead of its time. An economic commentator on national radio and television, he lectures widely on public policy issues to university students, service, professional, and religious organizations. Croatia is one of the countries where people are allowed to use drugs. Although its capital is notorious among stoners and college kids for marijuana hazefilled coffee shops, holland has never actually legalized cannabis the dutch simply dont enforce their laws against the shops. This book gives a fair and balanced presentation of both sides in the debate over drug legalization, as well as some of the intermediate positions. Mexico plans to decriminalize all illegal drugs big think.
Now rolles is crowdfunding his next book, which he hopes will be a. Canada becomes second nation in the world to legalize. Not only would it dissuade people from making the kinds. In a world where all drugs are legalized, whats to stop a legal marijuana, cocaine, or heroin company from achieving the same results. Feb 11, 2015 after many years of waging a fierce war on drugs, it decided to flip its strategy entirely. Participants talked about legalizing and distributing drugs that induce abortions. In this country it falls under schedule 1 of the federal comprehensive drug abuse prevention and control act of 1970, which describes such drugs as having a. This marijuana legalization map clearly defines the laws in each state and remains uptodate with the latest changes on a monthly basis. Other countries that have legalized drugs, have proven that its not worth it. Borders opened up and travel and exchange were made far easier. Portugal decriminalised the use of all drugs in 2001. In both countries blameless victims were sacrificed to protect the. Legalization quotes 10 quotes goodreads share book.
The legalizers assume that there is a natural limit to the demand for these drugs, and that if their consumption were legalized, the demand would not increase substantially. The author wants the manufacture, distribution, sale, purchase, possession and use of drugs such as heroin, cocaine, marijuana and lsd legalized. The case for legalising all drugs is unanswerable john gray. Even in the middle of the opioid epidemic, the government cant seem to get a handle on opioid overprescribing. Jun 07, 20 the economic case for the us to legalize all drugs. The war on drugs has been an endless fight in the uni.
The greatest evidence that drugs should be legalized flows from the multicrime against humanity and implicitly genocidal undertaking which is americas atrocious war on drugs. Among portuguese adults, there are 3 drug overdose deaths for every 1,000,000 citizens. Read story legalization of all drugs persuasive essay by kyliehuitema kylie huitema with 7,819 reads. Dan baum talks legalization, war on drugs in new harpers magazine article in his harpers piece, dan baum digs into the country s war on drugs. Uruguay became the first country to legalize marijuana in december 20 after former president jose mujica signed the legislation. More shane mckee, cofounder of shango premium cannabis dispensary in portland, ore.
Criminals wont stop being criminals, drug traffickers and dealers will just turn to other outlets to make money. The statistics of drug legalization statistics views. They artificially increase the price of drugs, which makes them attractive to criminals and gives them wealth and power. When marijuana and then heroin began flooding in, the country was. Sixteen years ago, portugal took a leap and decriminalized the possession of all drugs everything from marijuana to heroin, and by most measures, the move has paid off. Other countries that have legalized drugs drug legalization. It contains the most important articles to have appeared from the beginning of the legalization controversy and clearly sets out all the key arguments on both sides. Reformers looking to lighten and eliminate drug laws are a divided group, with some claiming that drug abuse is a disease, a national health problem that should be treated as such, while.
A survey by quinnipiac university in april 2018 found overwhelming support in the u. Drug related crime has dropped 20 percent in the country since marijuana became legal in 2017, according to latin american news service telesur. It is hard to see how the countries where most drug users live can be secure while counterterrorist operations are mixed up with the ritual. The legalization and decriminalization of marijuana has received a great deal of media attention across the country, and many states are considering whether they should legalize. What everyone needs to know discusses what is happening with marijuana policy, describing both the risks and the benefits of using marijuana, without taking sides in the legalization debate. What would become of the extensive regime of multilateral conventions. Whats been the downside of portugals drug decriminalization. List of books and articles about legalization of drugs online. The most eyepopping result from uruguays legal marijuana market has been the plunge in crime. The tropical storm in hawaii had reduced the mongooses home to a mess of mud, and lying there, amid the dirt and the. Over the past couple of decades, several western jurisdictions have seen reforms in, or changes to, the way cannabis use is being controlled, departing from traditional approaches of criminal prohibition that have dominated cannabis use control regimes for most of the twentieth century. The key to ending the war, steve rolles, author and senior policy analyst at transform drug policy foundation, manages to veer away from a polarising debate and lays out what reform could actually mean. Second, this book provides evidence that the war on drugs strategy did.