Le débat sur la légalisation du cannabis a fait couler beaucoup d'encre et sa remise sur la table est loin d'être finie. La dépénalisation du cannabis fut au centre des discussions politiques, sociales ainsi que des promesses électorales. Entre retombées économiques et bienfaits thérapeutiques, les opportunités se veulent nombreuses et conséquentes. Quelles avantages la légalisation du cannabis peut-elle offrir à la Tunisie? D'après Human Rights Watch, près d'un tiers des détenus tunisiens ont été condamnés suite à la loi 52 dont 70% d'entre eux sont emprisonnés pour avoir consommé du cannabis. Sans comparaison manichéenne, ces fêtards ou consommateurs réguliers se retrouvent dans la même cellule que n'importe quel autre criminel dans un espace de 2,9 mètres carrés par détenu.

No one knows with confidence how many small-scale cannabis farmers there are in South Africa, but the number is large: one organisation estimates 900,000. Millions of people probably depend on income from cannabis. In Pondoland, these growers have been cultivating the plant for over 200 years, with most of their harvest in more contemporary times bound for Cape Town townships and taxi ranks, as well as other South African cities. Pondoland is among South Africa’s least economically developed regions, and dagga is the only cash crop in a subsistence economy. There have been a number of failed efforts to eradicate the plant from the area.

Minister of Health Paulette Lenert confirmed that work on the cannabis legalisation project had been going on for months, even though it had been delayed by the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. As this is a sensitive issue, the authorities are communicating less on the subject, but work is progressing. Lenert stressed that it was not the government's intention to legalise cannabis because it was "cool". It has been found that more and more young people are using this substance, but also that the quality available on the market is becoming increasingly dangerous. The idea is to create, through legalisation, a new market, which will make prevention more effective.

New research highlights associations between teenage cannabis use and a range of mental health problems. The results suggested that use of the drug was associated with an increased risk of depression and a significantly higher risk of suicide attempts. As usual in a study based on survey data, the authors noted that a clear line of causation from cannabis use to the reported effects cannot be drawn. There are always other potential mechanisms in action. Young people who use cannabis regularly may already be experiencing mental health issues that make drug use more likely; or be facing adverse life experiences that influence both their mental health and drug consumption. (See also: The government should proceed with caution when it comes to cannabis)

The majority parties in Luxembourg as well as the Left Party (Déi Lénk) and the Pirate Party all agreed that the strategy of criminalisation over the past decades has failed and that it is time for a new approach. On the other hand, the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) views the project with great scepticism. Minister of Health Paulette Lenert announced that the government will release an official update on the progress of legalisation in June. While a number of questions still remain, there is no reason to question the project as a whole, the Minister stated. A motion was passed encouraging the government to move forward with the legalisation of cannabis. (See also: Cannabis accounted for 70% of drug consumption in Luxembourg in 2019)

La Chambre des représentants a adopté le 26 mai au soir le projet de loi relatif à l’usage thérapeutique et industriel du cannabis par une majorité confortable, mais inhabituelle. Les groupes parlementaires ont tous présenté des arguments en faveur d’une légalisation de la plante. Tous sauf le PJD, paradoxalement à la tête de la majorité gouvernementale. Le projet de loi adopté devra être soumis à la Chambre des conseillers dans les tout prochains jours. Le Parlement promulguera le texte une fois qu’il sera adopté en Commission, puis en session plénière de la Chambre haute. (Lire aussi: Légalisation du cannabis : dernière ligne droite, des amendements vains et un PJD plus hostile que jamais)

If New Zealand votes to legalise cannabis in 2020’s binding referendum, we will have a unique opportunity on our hands. Creating a licit market from scratch means the government can legislate for particular outcomes, before the gates are open and the proverbial horse has bolted. As it relates to harm caused by drug laws, this means there is an opportunity to legislate and regulate a legal cannabis market so that communities who have suffered under prohibition benefit economically and socially from the licitmarket. Righting wrongs and closing gaps are best done alongside decriminalisation right at the outset. (See also: Regulating cannabis - a challenge we are more than up to)

Legalise Cannabis MPs in Australia are launching a coordinated push to make marijuana legal for personal use in three states and overhaul what the party says is outdated legislation that unnecessarily criminalises people. The party’s drug reform bill will be introduced in state parliaments in Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia – the jurisdictions where it has representation in the state’s upper houses. Legalise Cannabis says it is the first time the same bill has been introduced across three states on the same day. The reform, which would allow adults to possess and grow small quantities of cannabis at home, is similar to ACT’s model that came into effect in 2020.

The legalisation of cannabis should be tested in London to improve public health and stop young people being drawn into crime, a London mayoral candidate has said. Siobhan Benita, the Lib Dem candidate for next year’s election, said the idea of legalising the drug was “no longer controversial” and the serious crime in the capital meant it was the right place for the idea to be trialled. “Illegal drugs activity, especially in the capital, is a big part of pulling young people into serious violence,” she said. “I want to remove power from those gangs. My question would be, why haven’t we done this yet?" She said legalisation, which would free up police time, had been supported by prominent former police officers. (See also: Labour to ‘consider legalising all drugs’ including cocaine and heroin)

Dutch drugs criminality could be tackled by legalising ecstasy and cannabis and by a taking a much tougher approach to cocaine smuggling, an independent think tank has said in a report. The Dutch need to work on a ‘credible’ policy when it comes to drugs crime, think tank DenkWerk said in its evaluation, and that includes measures such as closing down port terminals which are not doing enough to intercept drugs transports. The think tank based its recommendations on interviews with 25 representatives from police, customs, the public prosecution office, ports and journalism. Legalisation, one of the report’s key recommendations, would deprive criminals of hundreds of millions of euros in profits. At the same time, it would tackle the illegal dumping of chemicals and discourage youngsters just out of school from getting involved in drugs crime.

The Czech cabinet recently approved drug policies that include introducing a strictly regulated cannabis market. The details of the plan are still being fine-tuned – but there already obstacles in sight. The exact rules are now being drafted by an expert group. The state’s drugs policy chief, Jindřich Vobořil, said previously that taxation on legalised cannabis could bring no less than CZK 15 billion into the state coffers annually. The authorities in Germany are discussing a similar move. However, they recently had to tone down their intentions somewhat following concerns from the European Union.The Czech government’s plans could run into similar obstacles. Another aspect is that all elements within the five-party Czech government coalition may not be in unison on the matter.

Draft legislation for the legalisation of cannabis is to be put out for public consultation in Bermuda, the Attorney-General said. Kathy Lynn Simmons unveiled proposals for medical and recreational cannabis use in the Senate last December and the views of the public were also canvassed. But Ms Simmons said the original plans were seen to be “not going far enough” and “too complicated to be effective”. She added that the Government had amended the legislation to meet public expectations of “further decriminalisation of cannabis, to the greatest extent possible, via a regulated framework”. Ms Simmons said attitudes to the drug had evolved and that there was a recognition of the need for new industries. (See also: Bermuda government releases marijuana legalization bill for public feedback)

India has voted in favour in the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs to remove cannabis from Schedule IV of the 1961 Convention. It was only under American pressure that the Indian government banned all narcotic substances, including marijuana, in the 1980s. But today there is a change of heart in the US itself. The House of Representatives just passed a legislation that would decriminalise marijuana and expunge non-violent marijuana-related convictions. At least 15 American states have legalised recreational cannabis while 35 states in all have legalised medical marijuana. India too must reverse course and decriminalise marijuana. A BJP government ought to be more inclined towards upholding what’s been for long an Indian tradition anyway. (See also Indian Express editorial: Clear the smoke)

In the past decade, there’s been a sea change with respect to the global attitude to cannabis. India, however, is completely out of step with this global trend, as the use of cannabis—both medical and recreational—remains illegal in the country. India has suffered an agrarian crisis for the past three years. Low produce prices and drought conditions in several regions have led to widespread distress, triggering suicides, and demonstrations by farmers. Legalising cannabis could create a new cash-crop with a revenue stream that has multi-billion dollar export potential. This could help to pull the agrarian economy out of the doldrums and generate employment for thousands of farmers.

Faced with a surge to remove medicinal marijuana from the list of banned drugs and permit cannabis cultivation has the Himachal Government in a catch-22 situation. Some of the world’s finest hash strains are grown in the state and the government is pushing back hard to contain the illegal trade. Spearheading the demand for a policy to permit cannabis cultivation is Maheshwar Singh, the scion of Kullu royal family. “Views about medicinal uses of marijuana are changing globally,” he says, adding: “It’s about time India, too, revisits the law.” Kullu MLA Sunder Singh Thakur went public on with the matter recently: “A policy change about legal cannabis cultivation for therapeutic purposes will boost tourism and turn the state into a wellness hub.” (See also:Govt goes back on cannabis cultivation decision)

The Greens are about to introduce legislation into the parliament to legalise cannabis across Australia. Currently out for public consultation, the legislation, if passed, would allow for the regulation and sale of approved cannabis strains for recreational consumption in Australia, joining the handful of countries (and US states) that have already moved to legalise it. Greens senator David Shoebridge plans to introduce the bill to the Senate once the party has taken on board the results of that consultation. To get anywhere, the bill would need government support and Labor hasn’t yet given any indication it would throw its weight behind the legislation. So what does and doesn’t the legalise cannabis bill allow?

As the New Zealand government announces its plans for a cannabis referendum, a self-described “cannabis master” who grows and sells marijuana, provides insight into the illegal business he’s running, and what a workable legitimate business model could look like.  If recreational use becomes legal, he wants to be part of the change. It will allow growers and sellers like him – those he describes as “ninjas or living double lives” – to stop hiding. He said they'd come out of the woodwork and contribute to a new, legal market and would apply for a licence. (See also: New Zealand Drug Foundation is backing a Yes vote)

The German 'traffic light' coalition of the SPD, Greens, and Liberals promised in their 2021 post-election governing manifesto to not just decriminalise cannabis — but to be the first country in Europe legalise it. Nearly 18 months later, and with a battle with Brussels looming over the move, not to mention the likely knock-on effects of Europe's largest (by population) and richest nation effectively making marijuana another lifestyle choice, like alcohol, how is that going? EUobserver spoke to Georg Wurth, the head of the German Hemp Association [Deutsche Hanfverband] in Berlin, to assess the likely pitfalls and potential.

Recent polls on legalising recreational cannabis in New Zealand show support falling for the 'yes' vote, but also a significant number of undecideds who could ultimately swing the September 19 vote. The 'yes' and 'no' campaigns are pulling together funding and strategies to reach voters - including the roughly 10 per cent of undecided voters - in what is expected to be an intense and potentially ugly campaign. This week two polls - Newshub Reid Research and 1 NEWS Colmar Brunton - both showed 39 per cent support to legalise recreational cannabis use; the 'no' vote had 48 per cent support in the former and 51 per cent support in the latter. (See also: New Zealanders likely to vote against cannabis legalisation)

Cannabis, hemp, pot, ganja, bhang –call it what you wish, but there’s no denying that the venerable, yet also reviled, plant has been endemic to the Indian subcontinent and the use of its derivatives as medicine or recreational drugs is common among spiritual (particularly Shaivites) and ordinary folk alike. Yet today, as the world is waking up to the potential of exploiting cannabis for medicinal use and accepting the rationality behind making marijuana a legal recreational drug, the five-bladed leaf remains a banned substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. In an article for web portal The Print, Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram, Shashi Tharoor, argued for legalisation of marijuana in India, “the land of bhang”.