Introduction - Examining Cannabis Policies in the UK and Portugal
Cannabis, a drug that alters the mind, comes from the hemp plant and has been utilized for both medical and recreational purposes for centuries. Despite its long-standing use, cannabis is illegal in most nations, with strict laws regarding its possession, distribution and consumption. For decades, people have debated whether to legalize or keep it illegal. Advocates for legalization believe that it would reduce crime rates, generate more tax revenue and have a positive impact on public health. On the other hand, critics argue that legalization could lead to increased drug use, addiction and negative mental health effects. This essay examines the pros and cons of legalizing cannabis and takes a closer look at how two nations, the UK and Portugal, have tackled this issue.
Grab The Best Academic Assistance In Just One Click
Cannabis legalisation and prohibition have a long history in the UK and Portugal. In the UK, cannabis was first made illegal in 1928 through the Dangerous Drugs Act (Theweek.co.uk, 2018). Over the years, there have been various calls for the decriminalization or legalization of cannabis in the UK, particularly for medical purposes. In 2018, the government legalized cannabis-based medicines for specific medical conditions, although access remains limited (Fda.gov, 2023). However, in Portugal, the use and possession of all drugs, including cannabis, were decriminalized in 2001 (Obamawhitehouse.archives.gov, 2010). This was done in response to the country's high rates of drug addiction and associated public health problems.
Cannabis legalisation has distinct effects in Portugal and the UK, which may result in different advantages. The potential to raise more money through taxes is one of the primary advantages of legalising cannabis. Taxing and controlling the cannabis industry can generate sizable revenue for governments. The entire amount of cannabis taxes collected globally between January 2022 and February 2023 was $53,866,896 (Mtrevenue.gov, 2023). This income can be used to pay for a variety of government services, such as health and education and it can also help the economy develop. Legalization can also reduce law enforcement costs related to policing, prosecuting and incarcerating individuals for cannabis-related offences. This can free up resources to be used elsewhere in the criminal justice system. Governments can increase public safety and lower crime rates by diverting these resources to other initiatives like neighbourhood policing and crime prevention.
Another benefit of legalizing cannabis is the potential for improved public health outcomes. Governments can ensure that consumers receive safe and regulated cannabis products by implementing quality control measures and safety regulations. This can reduce the risks of consuming illegal and potentially dangerous goods such as tainted or fake cannabis. Legalizing cannabis could also make it easier for patients who benefit from its use to access it as medicine. According to research by (Özenver and Agrawal, 2022), cannabis can be used to treat a number of medical conditions, including chronic pain, anxiety and epilepsy. Governments can facilitate patient access to cannabis-based treatments and possibly enhance their quality of life by legalising cannabis.
Legalizing cannabis has the potential to significantly reduce the size of the black market for cannabis and the associated criminal activity that comes with it as well. Currently, illegal cannabis markets are often controlled by organized crime groups that engage in violence, intimidation and other criminal activities to maintain their dominance (Ellis and Silverstone, 2012). Governments can greatly decrease the demand for illegal cannabis and weaken the influence of these criminal organisations by legalising cannabis and establishing a regulated, legitimate market for it (Kilmer et al. 2021). This is because legal cannabis markets offer consumers a safer and more convenient option than buying from illegal sources. They can be confident that the product they are buying has been quality-controlled and is not contaminated with harmful substances.
The legalization of cannabis could create a significant number of new jobs for the cannabis industry. The industry is expected to continue to grow as more countries and states legalize cannabis and this growth can lead to the creation of a wide variety of jobs. These roles include growers, processors, distributors and retailers, as well as researchers, marketers and other support roles. The economic boost from cannabis legalization could be especially important in communities suffering from unemployment or other economic problems (Piispanen, 2022). Legalization can create new business opportunities, increase tax revenue and boost local economies. This, in turn, can help reduce poverty rates and improve the overall standard of living of individuals and families.
Additionally, legalisation might make it possible to conduct a more thorough study on cannabis' therapeutic and medical uses. As novel treatments for different diseases are developed, this research can aid in a better understanding of the potential health benefits and risks of cannabis use. Governments can motivate the scientific community to examine the plant and its impacts on the human body, by removing legal restrictions on research (Wartenberg et al. 2021). This might then result in medical cannabis treatments for patients that are safer and more efficient. Legalization can also lessen the stigma attached to cannabis use, which could promote more honest conversation and investigation into its possible advantages. Additionally, it may result in the public having access to more correct information, assisting in the debunking of rumours and false notions about cannabis use.
Portugal took a different approach to drug policy. They decriminalised marijuana use in 2001 (Obamawhitehouse.archives.gov, 2010). It has been found to significantly improve the decrease of harm associated with drugs. Among other effects, this includes a decrease in fatal drug overdoses and HIV infections. Drug addicts are more likely to seek assistance and therapy if their drug use is viewed as a public health problem rather than a criminal one, which is one of the main causes of this. This is because decriminalisation eliminates the threat of criminal prosecution, enabling people to ask for help more without fear of repercussion. Decriminalization has also increased the number of drug treatment programmes available, making it simpler for those who need assistance to get it (Meyers, 2022). Another benefit of decriminalisation is that it lessens the stigma attached to drug abuse, making it more acceptable for people to get support and assistance. This may result in a more accepting environment for people who are battling addiction, which eventually improves both individual and societal health outcomes.
The decriminalization of marijuana in Portugal has had a positive impact on the relationship between law enforcement and drug users, as well as between drug users and the wider community. Drug abuse was regarded as a crime prior to decriminalisation and law enforcement agencies were in charge of upholding stringent drug laws, which frequently led to the arrest and imprisonment of drug users. However, with the implementation of the decriminalization policy, drug use is no longer considered a crime. This led to a shift in focus to drug addiction as a public health problem rather than a criminal problem (Van Dijk et al. 2019). As a result, law enforcement agencies are more likely to work with drug users to help them access and support treatment services, rather than to punish them. That change in approach helped build trust between law enforcement agencies and drug users. Drug users are more likely to ask law enforcement without fear of arrest or punishment. Decriminalization did not lead to an increase in drug use, as some critics had feared. In contrast, drug use in Portugal has remained stable or decreased since the introduction of the policy (Gabri et al. 2022). The benefits of Portugal's drug policy show that decriminalization can improve public health outcomes and reduce drug-related harm.
On the other hand, there are a number of issues that are raised in opposition to the regulation of cannabis in the UK. The health risks of cannabis use, which include memory loss, breathing issues and an elevated chance of mental health issues like psychosis, are one of the main issues. Legalizing weed might increase usage, which could be harmful to people's health. Road safety is another issue. Cannabis use can impair driving skills, which may increase the number of collisions on the road (Brands, Di Ciano and Mann, 2021). There are those who contend that the consumption of cannabis can serve as a point of entry into the consumption of more potent drugs such as cocaine and heroin, ultimately resulting in an escalation in addiction. In addition, there are concerns about increased use among young people, who may find it more socially acceptable (Hall and Lynskey, 2020). Finally, legalizing cannabis would require a significant investment in regulation, oversight and enforcement, at a cost to the government and taxpayers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be stated that legalizing cannabis would be more beneficial for society than banning it. Cannabis prohibition has led to increased crime, high police costs and negative effects on public health. In contrast, legalization can generate significant tax revenue, create new jobs, improve public safety and improve public health by regulating the quality of cannabis products. Decriminalization of drugs, including cannabis, in Portugal, has been successful in reducing drug-related harm, including fatal drug overdoses and HIV infections. Decriminalization of drug addiction has also increased drug treatment programs and reduced stigma, making it easier for those in need to seek help. Legalizing cannabis could also lead to more research into its therapeutic and medicinal uses, leading to a better understanding of its potential benefits and risks. Overall, legalization can bring many benefits to society and governments should consider legalizing cannabis for public health, safety and revenue reasons.
References
Brands, B., Di Ciano, P. and Mann, R.E., 2021. Cannabis, impaired driving, and road safety: an overview of key questions and issues. Frontiers in psychiatry, 12, p.641549.
Ellis, T and Silverstone, D (2012) ‘Legalise Drugs? in Ellis, T and Savage, S (Eds). Debates in Criminal Justice, London: Routledge pp149-184.
Fda.gov (2023) “FDA and Cannabis: Research and Drug Approval Process” Available at: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-and-cannabis-research-and-drug-approval-process [Accessed on: 22.03.2023]
Gabri, A.C., Galanti, M.R., Orsini, N. and Magnusson, C., 2022. Changes in cannabis policy and prevalence of recreational cannabis use among adolescents and young adults in Europe—An interrupted time-series analysis. PLoS One, 17(1), p.e0261885.
Hall, W. and Lynskey, M., 2020. Assessing the public health impacts of legalizing recreational cannabis use: the US experience. World Psychiatry, 19(2), pp.179-186.
Kilmer, B., Caulkins, J.P., Kilborn, M., Priest, M. and Warren, K.M., 2021. Cannabis legalization and social equity: some opportunities, puzzles, and trade-offs. BUL Rev., 101, p.1003.
Meyers, C., 2022. Alternatives to Prohibition and Legalization. In Drug Legalization: A Philosophical Analysis (pp. 273-294). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
Mtrevenue.gov (2023) “Cannabis Sales Reports” Available at: https://mtrevenue.gov/cannabis-sales-reports/ [Accessed on: 22.03.2023]
Obamawhitehouse.archives.gov (2010) “Drug Decriminalization in Portugal: Challenges and Limitations” Available at: https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/ondcp/ondcp-fact-sheets/drug-decriminalization-in-portugal-challenges-and-limitations [Accessed on: 22.03.2023]
Özenver, N. and Agrawal, D., 2022. Cannabidiol (CBD) for relief from pain, anxiety, and epilepsy: A review. International Journal of Applied Science and Engineering, 19(4).
Piispanen, R., 2022. The Effects of Cannabis Legalization on the Economy of State Colorado Case Study.
Theweek.co.uk (2018) “When was cannabis banned in the UK?” Available at: https://www.theweek.co.uk/65464/when-was-cannabis-made-illegal-in-the-uk [Accessed on: 22.03.2023]
Van Dijk, A.J., Herrington, V., Crofts, N., Breunig, R., Burris, S., Sullivan, H., Middleton, J., Sherman, S. and Thomson, N., 2019. Law enforcement and public health: recognition and enhancement of joined-up solutions. The Lancet, 393(10168), pp.287-294.
Wartenberg, A.C., Holden, P.A., Bodwitch, H., Parker-Shames, P., Novotny, T., Harmon, T.C., Hart, S.C., Beutel, M., Gilmore, M., Hoh, E. and Butsic, V., 2021. Cannabis and the environment: What science tells us and what we still need to know. Environmental Science & Technology Letters, 8(2), pp.98-107.
